Sarah Henderson (Corangamite, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development. Will the minister update the House on action the government is taking to improve infrastructure in my home state of Victoria?

Mr Perrett interjecting—

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

The member for Moreton has pushed just too far and will leave under 94(a).

The member for Moreton then left the chamber.

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

I thank the member for Corangamite, who is a fierce advocate for Geelong and the Corangamite area. She is a fierce advocate for stage 2 of the East West Link, along with the Great Ocean Road upgrade, which the member the Grayndler refused to fund when he was a minister. This government is committing $25 million to that great tourism icon in Australia. The Princes Highway West: the $185.5 million upgrade, with a sod just turned a few weeks ago by the member for Corangamite. The Western Highway Ballarat to Stawell duplication: the member for Wannon and the member for Mallee are also interested in that. The $73 million investment in the Tullamarine Freeway widening, which we are working with the Victorian government to deliver.

Members would be aware that last Friday the Prime Minister released the first ever audit of Australia's infrastructure, which is being compiled by Infrastructure Australia. It is a terrific document which highlights that Australia has some very good problems, in particular in Victoria, in that we have significant growth in the city of Melbourne. In fact, some in Melbourne argue that in the next 20 years Melbourne will overtake Sydney as Australia's biggest city. To do that, it will need infrastructure. It will need significant investments in infrastructure. The audit makes a very good point: Melbourne will need an east-west connection.

Ms Ryan interjecting—

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

The member for Lalor has been warned and will leave under 94(a).

The member for Lalor then left the chamber.

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

It makes the point that the major infrastructure required in Victoria is an east-west connection, which is very consistent with what the Leader of Opposition has said, not just once but twice, in submissions back to Sir Rod Eddington's inquiry in the late—

Mr Shorten interjecting—

Hang on! I heard he was talking to the Carlton board today. I think he is getting some ideas!

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

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. The minister was asked about Victorian infrastructure. To be relevant, he has to speak about the eight per cent of funding—

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

The member will resume his seat.

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

He is ready to serve! The East West Link was the project that Dan Andrews got rid of when he came to government, costing Victorian taxpayers nearly $1 billion for no infrastructure. But it is a project which has been very clearly outlined by Infrastructure Australia as very much needed—

Mr Husic interjecting—

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

The member for Chifley!

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

and as one of the most important infrastructure projects in Victoria. However, the Prime Minister is very eager that we get on and build projects in Victoria. That is why we have said—

Mr Albanese interjecting—

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

The member for Grayndler will leave under 94(a).

The member for Grayndler then left the chamber.

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

to the Andrews government that we will work with the Andrews government to have a Western Distributor project which suits the needs of Victoria and Melbourne. But, to do that, we must see a business case. Last week, when I met with Transurban, they made it very clear that the Victorian government has said: 'We do not want you to send a business case to the federal government.' They want $1½ billion dollars from the federal government, but they will not give us a business case. It is very clear: if the Victorian government wants to work with this government, we will work with them. But they must hand over the evidence for us to do so.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.