Warren Entsch (Leichhardt, Liberal 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 the government is working with the states to boost growth and create jobs?

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

Thank you to the champion of the North for that very, very important question. He recognises how important productivity-improving infrastructure is for our country. Not only does it improve our economy and give us a better chance as a nation to be competitive in the future but it creates jobs now. In northern Australia, there are substantial commitments by this government towards upgrading the infrastructure of the North. Our $50 billion program—which incidentally is $16.4 billion more than Labor promised at the last election—a $50 billion commitment to infrastructure, includes some very important projects in the North, particularly in the member for Leichhardt's electorate. There is the Southern Access Corridor into Cairns—two more stages beyond the one that we completed that was left over from the previous government. There is the $210 million package to upgrade roads through Cape York Peninsula—a very substantial commitment. On top of that there is the Edmonton to Gordonvale duplication—not quite in the member's electorate, but he is a man who certainly fought hard to achieve that. That is the best part of $1 billion worth of roadworks in Cairns and Far North Queensland. That is going to be an important job creator for that region. Between them, these projects will create thousands of jobs, and they are thousands of jobs on top of what has already been created under the infrastructure program of this government. The Toowoomba Second Range Crossing, for instance—a project which I am pleased to see is now supported by the Labor state government in Queensland, even though it has always been opposed by members opposite—

Mr Albanese interjecting—

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

The member for Grayndler will stop interjecting!

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

is expected to create 1,800 positions once it gets underway. WestConnex in Sydney is expected to provide 10,000 jobs, including a lot of apprenticeships. NorthConnex in Sydney is expected to provide around 8,700 jobs. The Cooroy to Curra section, section A, will create 1,600 jobs; and then, once that is completed, it will move on to section C, creating thousands of jobs.

Mr Albanese interjecting—

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

The member for Grayndler will cease interjecting. Member for Grayndler, if you wish to stay in the chamber you will desist or leave under standing order 94A.

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

The Perth Freight Link will create 2,400 jobs; the Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan, 8,000 jobs; the Pacific Highway, 2,000 jobs.

Mr Albanese interjecting—

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

Then take an early mark and leave under 94A.

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

But of course, there will be 7,000 jobs that will not be created because of Labor's decision to end the East-West project in Melbourne. That is 7,000 lost jobs but tens of thousands will be created by this government because we know infrastructure means jobs; infrastructure means productivity.