Steve Irons (Swan, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Western Australia is a big winner in the federal budget, especially in my electorate of Swan, and I take the opportunity to update my constituents on what they can expect to see from the federal budget, with the Morrison government announcing a huge package of local road and infrastructure funding which will boost our economic recovery, keep our families safe, get people home sooner and back local jobs.

Last week I joined with my federal colleagues Minister Michaelia Cash, Minister Ben Morton and Minister Ken Wyatt, along with the WA Premier, to announce that the Morrison Liberal government is committing funding of $1.3 billion for infrastructure projects in Western Australia. These local projects are going to support more than 4,000 direct and indirect jobs in Western Australia, which will boost local communities and back our small businesses. Residents in my electorate of Swan will directly benefit from a $385.5 million share in this $1.3 billion announcement. Projects funded include the Hamilton Street-Wharf Street grade separations and the elevation of associated stations, including Queens Park and Cannington stations.

This is a major win for the residents in my electorate. Over the years, I have been campaigning for the removal of dangerous level crossings on the Armadale line. The crossings cause not only a large number of car crashes but also a large amount of congestion. When I took Minister Taylor out to the level crossing on Wharf Street a couple of years ago, there were cars that sat there at the lights for in excess of 15 minutes. There was actually a truck there where the blokes managed to smoke two cigarettes while they waited for the boom gates to come up. In 2019 I secured funding for the removal of three key level crossings, at Oats Street, Welshpool Road and Mint Street. This announcement of the removal of the level crossings at Wharf Street and Hamilton Street as part of the budget's infrastructure package means I have succeeded in my campaign on behalf of my constituents and I have delivered for Swan.

I welcome the partnership with the state government, who, after years of delay and putting these projects on the backburner, have finally listened to the concerns of residents and are working with the federal government to remove the level crossings. Thank you to the over 1,000 people who signed local petitions to expedite action to remove these level crossings.

The Morrison government continues to fund and deliver on transport priorities for Western Australia. The federal government is investing $2.3 billion across 11 METRONET projects in Western Australia. This week's budget included a commitment of $31.5 million towards METRONET high-capacity signalling, an addition to the $133.8 million already committed to this project. The investment in digital technology has been prioritised in the budget, with projects like METRONET signalling supporting more efficient use of road and rail infrastructure.

One of the other key projects that residents will benefit from is the upgrade of the northern access to the Perth Airport precinct. Our government is committing $85 million to the construction of a four-lane bridge to replace the Kalamunda Road bridge. Construction for this project will start in late 2023 and is set to be completed by mid-2026. When completed, these upgrades will significantly improve access to Perth Airport. Perth Airport is ideally situated close to the CBD, in an area serviced by major arterial roads and rail freight. The interchange works will further enhance the efficiency of moving freight to and from this key economic hub.

Other key projects in Swan as part of this infrastructure announcement include $10 million for the Orrong Road expressway. I can hear a sigh of relief from constituents on that, because it's like a car park in the morning and the afternoon. There is also an additional $21.5 million towards the Leach Highway-Welshpool Road interchange project. It is the busiest intersection in Western Australia. It's great that those two projects are going to be looked at, as they will get people home faster. This funding for my electorate will support local small businesses, which means jobs; keep residents safe on the roads; and cut travel times in our community.

Through the budget, the Australian government has committed $1.6 billion for priority projects and initiatives in Western Australia to support economic recovery and jobs, increasing the government's total commitment to transport infrastructure in Western Australia to $17.3 billion since 2013. There is funding for many other major infrastructure projects, such as the Great Eastern Highway, the Reid Highway and the Toodyay Road, and $55 million for the Mandurah Estuary Bridge duplication.

I'm proud to be part of a government that is providing record funding that will boost business. The Morrison government will continue to invest in the Western Australian economy in the coming years through nation-building projects, delivering the infrastructure Western Australians need now and into the future.

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