Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

) ( ): My question is again addressed to the Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development. Does the assistant minister believe urban passenger rail projects are nationally significant?

Jamie Briggs (Mayo, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Grayndler for the question, and we hope today that the member for Grayndler will support our Infrastructure Australia bills which are in the parliament. They will strengthen the independence of that body to ensure that a stronger outcome for infrastructure is achieved by the infrastructure government led by the infrastructure Prime Minister. Urban rail projects are important, and we believe the state—

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Jamie Briggs (Mayo, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You have had your go, Albo.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister will simply refer to people by their correct titles.

Opposition members interjecting—

Jamie Briggs (Mayo, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, endorsement from you is okay, Tania, I do not mind that. They are all very fired up over there, though, aren't they. There are three days left, guys, three days left.

Opposition members interjecting—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Those on my left will desist.

Jamie Briggs (Mayo, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Urban rail projects are important projects, and we believe that state governments should invest in them.

Opposition members interjecting—

Rumpole, calm down! They are very substantial projects.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister will refer to people by their proper titles.

Jamie Briggs (Mayo, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

They are substantial projects, and the state government should invest in them.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I wish to raise a point of order on relevance, Madam Speaker. It was a pretty easy question to answer. We have not had an answer yet; we have just had a bit of chitchat across the chamber. Can the assistant minister be asked to actually answer the question.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You are straying off your point of order. I will ask the minister if he has completed his answer. He has completed his answer.