Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Hansard source

The federal government pays states and territories upon the completion of milestones. When a state or territory gets the allocation, gets the commitment by the Commonwealth, they do the contracting, they do the tendering, they run the project, and, when a certain amount of cement is put down, when a depth of a hole is built, when a pier is put up, we pay on milestones. So, if there's weather or if there's some other event or, indeed, if a state just can't get on and do the job required then the cheque doesn't get paid. But rest assured, Member for Ballarat, that money, as you claim might be underspent, still goes into the overall budget for infrastructure, and it does get spent upon the completion of that job. That's why we are getting on—

Mr Albanese interjecting—

I can hear the Leader of the Opposition. Yes, eight years, eight glorious years. You just thought you had it made when they gave you a small amount of money to spend. We are getting on with building the infrastructure that Australia needs, particularly regional Australia—regional Australia, which you forgot in those six sorry, dysfunctional years under Kevin Rudd, under Julia Gillard and then under Kevin Rudd again. We're getting on and we're building the infrastructure, whether it's dams, whether it's roads, whether it's the Inland Rail, and it's supporting 100,000 workers. Did I say in my previous answer—I think I did—an additional 30,000 tonight in the budget. We're getting on and we're spending the money that's required. We also do it based on state priorities—

Opposition members interjecting—

Yes, based on territory priorities. I'm happy to work with any ministers of any political colour, stripe or creed to get on and build the infrastructure that we need. That's why, when I advised them on Sunday night, gave them the heads up as a courtesy call, they all came back to me. The Labor ministers were delighted with the infrastructure spend that Josh Frydenberg is going to announce tonight.

Honourable members interjecting—

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