David Gillespie (Lyne, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development. Will the Deputy Prime Minister inform the House how this government is supporting development in regional and rural communities?

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

I thank the honourable member for Lyne for his question, and, as a regional member, he knows how important it is to have strong, resilient regional communities. When our regions are strong, so is our nation. Regions in particular are very dependent upon having transport networks that work well, and so investments in highways and local roads are of particular importance. I am conscious of a number of significant projects in the member's electorate and on the Pacific Highway and other parts of northern New South Wales—

Mr Albanese interjecting—

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

The member for Grayndler will obey the standing orders and sit in his seat.

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

that are examples of this government in action and delivering better facilities for regional communities.

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

I'm very popular!

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

Well, you might have to go outside and be popular.

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

When you want to actually build roads and other pieces of important infrastructure, you actually have to have real money. It is no good just having imaginary money from a tax that does not actually raise any money. You have actually got to have the resources to be able to do it.

An honourable member interjecting—

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

Well, perhaps you could be assisted for a lie-down in your suite.

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

Imaginary funds just produce imaginary projects. And it has been imaginary projects that Labor have been offering to regional communities over a long, long period of time.

Mr Perrett interjecting—

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

The member for Moreton!

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

So we have the commitment. We have funded it. We have programmed it. And we are delivering it. This government is very much about providing infrastructure as a part of our $50 billion commitment to roads and rail around Australia over the next five years.

A number of projects of particular interest to local communities—like Roads to Recovery, the new Bridges Renewal Program, and the heavy vehicle program—will help make a difference to improving the transport network in those regions. We have received over 420 applications for funding for projects under the bridges program—

An honourable member interjecting—

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

You mightn't be here!

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

and the heavy vehicle program just in this next round. So there is clearly a demand, pent up over the years of Labor neglect, which we are determined now to get on with, to ensure that we are able to deliver the best possible infrastructure for those who live outside the capital cities. What this will do, on top of getting rid of the carbon tax and now the mining tax, is: it will be more economical for goods to travel in and out of regional communities. There will be more opportunities for growth in regional communities and to improve the quality of life for all Australians, even those who live outside the capital cities.