Russell Matheson (Macarthur, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development. Will the Deputy Prime Minister update the House on how the government is delivering on its promise to build infrastructure for the 21st century for all Australians, particularly in Macarthur?

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

The member for Macarthur certainly knows full well that this government is getting on with its commitment to build the infrastructure of the 21st century. Projects right across the nation are a demonstration of this commitment in action. Our $50 billion commitment to infrastructure is a record—more than any other government has ever provided.

Mr Albanese interjecting—

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

The member for Grayndler will desist if wants to stay in the chamber.

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

It is at least $16.4 billion more than what Labor had committed over the same period and, if you take in the Asset Recycling Initiative, then Labor was behind another $70-odd billion in the delivery of infrastructure. This is already creating thousands of jobs and increasing the capacity of our nation.

I was a bit surprised to see the shadow minister at a doorstop today making a quite extraordinary statement when referring to the roads of the 21st century. He said: 'Well, it's now been 16 months, and no projects have commenced.' There are 85 projects currently under construction and another 94 are in development. Many of them were never even dreamed of by the other side—and certainly were never funded. They had so many conditions attached to their funding that they were never going to come through. All of the money was coming out of the proceeds of the mining tax—the mining tax that did not raise any money.

The member for Macarthur was in his electorate when work began on the $509 million Bringelly Road upgrade, which is a key part of the new roads of the Western Sydney project—

Mr Albanese interjecting—

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

The member for Grayndler will resume his seat.

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

something Labor had never thought of.

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

I said the member for Grayndler will resume his seat. The minister has the call.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The NorthConnex project is under construction and will be completed by 2019. Over 60 per cent of the Pacific Highway has now been duplicated.

Mr Albanese interjecting—

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

The member for Grayndler is warned!

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

And there is a range of projects underway. There are 11 projects presently underway on the Bruce Highway and many more to come. The Gateway upgrade in Brisbane—a project Labor had never thought of—is a $1-billion project with work underway. The North Sydney freight corridor, the North-South Road Corridor in Adelaide, the North West Coastal Highway in Western Australia, the Midland Highway—

Mr Albanese interjecting—

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

The member for Grayndler has been warned! One more utterance and he will leave the chamber.

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

were projects that were being funded by Labor with mythical mining tax money. We are getting on with building the roads of the 21st century. The work is underway, there is a lot more to be done and the country will be so much the better for this superior infrastructure being provided.