Geoff Lyons (Bass, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport and Leader of the House. Will the minister advise the House why it is important for infrastructure projects to be properly assessed, planned and costed, and how does this compare with other proposals for infrastructure?

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Bass for his question. Indeed, when it comes to infrastructure funding, on this side of the House we do the analysis, we undertake the proper process and we ensure that we have the business cases. That is why we established Infrastructure Australia, one of our first pieces of legislation when we formed office, introduced in February 2008 in the first fortnight's parliamentary sittings. The Leader of the Opposition last week was committing to establish Infrastructure Australia when he said, 'If we are elected we will form an organisation called Infrastructure Australia.' It is typical of the lack of policy detail of those opposite when it comes to infrastructure.

Mr Ewen Jones interjecting—

Ms Anna Burke (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Herbert is warned!

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In a way it would be funny if it was not so serious, if those opposite did not seek to control the treasury bench. This month I was in Launceston with the member for Bass and there I announced funding for a detailed business case for the Launceston bypass, part of our $500 million fully costed commitment to upgrade the Midland Highway—to upgrade parts of it, making it clear what we can do with that money and what we cannot do with that money.

The Leader of the Opposition has promised $400 million to fully duplicate the Midland Highway. Unfortunately, it is a $2.7 billion project. When he was asked about it, they did not have any proper analysis but he said, 'I certainly have been in informal discussions with people.' That is what he said. Well, I say to the Leader of the Opposition: give us the mob that can build a $2.7 billion duplication of the Midland Highway for $400 million and we'll sign up straightaway! This was a policy that was done on the back of a coaster somewhere in Tassie. Probably after a light beer shandy, the Leader of the Opposition got out the coaster and wrote out this policy. Of course he has got form, because he also said when speaking about the East West Link that he had spoken to Infrastructure Australia, and we know that that is not true. When he speaks about roads he repeats the falsehood. When he speaks about roads he speaks about ' aspirations'. Now we have apparitions—apparitions instead of real projects with real money to create real jobs to create real roads. (Time expired)

Geoff Lyons (Bass, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Speaker, I have a supplementary question. Why is parliamentary leadership important in the national interest?

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker—

Ms Anna Burke (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Manager of Opposition Business will resume his seat. I will allow the question, but I will be listening with interest.

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, on a point of order: how can the question of whether their parliamentary leadership is important be a question to the Leader of the House rather than the Prime Minister or the member for Griffith?

Ms Anna Burke (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Manager of Opposition Business will resume his seat. Again, like the member for Cook, he was on a reasonable track until he had to abuse it at the end. The Leader of the House has the call.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Indeed, and as Leader of the House I was pointing out that what we have done is have proper legislation introduced through the parliament to ensure that we have proper processes in place to put policies in place in the interests of the nation. That is important. It contrasts with the lack of leadership of those opposite. And today the hand-picked former parliamentary secretary to the Leader of the Opposition, Cory Bernardi, has showed it up with: 'I was right on gay marriage and bestiality.' That is what he said. 'I said this would happen,' Senator Bernardi said, 'and it is happening.'

Ms Anna Burke (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The Leader of the House will resume his seat. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will resume her seat. The member for Stirling has the call.