Lucy Wicks (Robertson, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to speak in support of the original motion, as moved by the member for Forrest, which rightly recognises the importance of infrastructure for the future prosperity of our nation, especially for my electorate of Robertson. With around one in four people across the Central Coast commuting long distances to work each day, leaving early in the morning and returning late at night to their families, local families know all too well why we need the sort of infrastructure that this motion outlines. This includes transport projects focused on building local communities, connecting the regions and our cities, busting congestion and boosting productivity, while also creating local jobs.

These are the sorts of projects the coalition has been delivering in my electorate: NorthConnex, the M1-M2 missing link and M1 upgrades between the Kariong and Somersby interchanges. There's more to come, thanks to the commitment that this government is making to deliver a record $75 billion investment in infrastructure across Australia. For the first time, the government has committed to a 10-year infrastructure investment pipeline. Unlike those opposite who talk of spending without any plan for the economy, we're taking a responsible approach to infrastructure funding and financing that ensures value for taxpayers. We are only committing funds that stack up economically and which deliver the outcomes we need from our transport infrastructure.

Recently, we've seen yet another example of this on the Central Coast, with what has informally been described as 'project 60'. It has aim of getting those hardworking commuters I talked about earlier from the coast to Sydney in 60 minutes. It's one of the hottest issues in my region, and quite rightly, because some say that the old red rattlers could get to Sydney quicker than trains on the Central Coast line these days. There are, of course, a number of good reasons for the current speed issues; but if you're standing in a packed train with no mobile coverage and no seat, just staring at the carriage door, who can blame you for dreaming about a better way and asking your local members to help deliver it? This dream could one day become a reality thanks to this government.

It was fantastic to stand alongside my state colleagues and local business representative Rod Dever at Gosford station recently to commit funding, with the New South Wales government, to help produce a detailed business case aimed at cutting down train travel times between Sydney and Newcastle. The focus will be on reducing times overall on that stretch of track from three hours to just two, including along the Central Coast. I'm advised that the business case will look at options like straightening tracks, upgrading existing infrastructure, such as level crossings, or addressing other needs along what is a complex, mountainous terrain. Having a detailed business case will allow us to do the responsible, essential research to maximise the advantages of such a potential project.

As this work continues over the next 12 to 18 months, we're also rolling out our commitment to continuous mobile phone coverage for commuters along the 60 kilometre-section of track from Wyong to Hornsby. Such is the demand for action on this election commitment, I'm receiving correspondence every few days from people asking for updates, and we've just produced a new commuter newsletter that I'll be handing out at stations over the next couple of weeks to give our hardworking Central Coast commuters the information they need. We'll be telling them that this election commitment is on track, that a tender process is being finalised—with work to start over the next few months—and that better mobile coverage will be switched on by the end of next year.

The federal government is investing $12 million and the New South Wales government $4 million for this. Part of the project is for free wi-fi at train stations as well, which is great for productivity and also to help keep people connected. As Zac from Springfield put it, 'The reception on the train line is shocking, so being able to do laptop work on the train would massively help me and thousands of Coasties.' And—as the Prime Minister said—it'll make work time more productive, enhance leisure time and help families and friends connect. This is one of the most practical things we could do for families on the Central Coast.

We're also hearing the frustrations of commuters who can't get a car space or who are driving in early and sleeping in their cars for an hour from 4 am or 5 am just to get a spot at the local train stations. I've raised this issue with council, and we're looking at every solution possible. We're also running a petition that will be included in our community news. I call on anyone who has this concern to sign the petition and add their voice.

Finally, it must be highlighted that our commitment to these projects is underpinned by the strong economic growth that we've seen in this budget, which is flowing from our national economic plan. We can only pay for these vital projects—projects that make a real and demonstrable difference to communities like mine—by living within our means and by growing our economy. I commend the original motion to the House.

See this speech in context