Michelle Landry (Capricornia, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, my question is to the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development. Will the Deputy Prime Minister outline the measures the government is taking to support the upgrade and maintenance of Australia's local road network? Are there any alternatives to the government's plans?

Warren Truss (Wide Bay, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Capricornia for her continuing interest in the importance of upgrading Australia's road system and, in particular, the roads in her electorate. She would be well aware of the $50 billion commitment that this government has made to upgrade our nation's road and rail network, which includes some important projects in the electorate of Capricornia as well as some of the really big ticket items that we have been talking about for our capital cities and major provincial centres.

But it also includes very important commitments for the local roads, to make sure that local roads and local streets are properly looked after. For instance, our $565 million commitment to getting rid of black spots on roads. That involves an extra $100 million in both 2015-16 and 2016-17. That will make a real difference to getting rid of black spots on our roads and streets. There is also the $300 million for the new bridges program, to get rid of and replace some of those ageing bridge assets around the countryside, and $243 million to continue the Black Spot Program.

Mr Albanese interjecting—

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

The member for Grayndler will desist.

Warren Truss (Wide Bay, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The most significant of all of the road programs to support the road network at the local level is the Roads to Recovery Program. We have made a $2.1 billion commitment over the next five years towards this program, including a double payment in 2015-16, so that will make a real difference again at the local level in dealing with the road projects that are so important—like the $255,000 that is being spent on Kent Street in Rockhampton, to repair and get the project underway under this particular program.

However, as the House will know, this particular program expired under the legislation of the previous government on 30 June 2014. The bill is now before the Senate and it will be a matter for the Senate to determine now whether or not this $2.1 billion can be paid to local government on schedule. Now Labor and the Greens opposed this legislation in the House of Representatives. They voted against it, and now the challenge to Labor and the Greens in the Senate will be to make sure they support the legislation so—

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

The minister will resume his seat.

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

Madam Speaker, I raise a point of order—

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

No props!

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

If he wants to support Roads to Recovery, he can just support this legislation.

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

That is not a point of order and the member knows it.

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

He can vote for it. He voted against it yesterday!

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

The member will resume his seat!

Warren Truss (Wide Bay, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, in response to the interjection: if Labor believes in this program, vote for it in the Senate. You have got legislation in the Senate. Vote for it and do not try to prevent this money flowing through to local councils.