Steve Irons (Swan, 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's investment in key infrastructure will help create jobs and allow businesses to fully exploit the advantages of the export agreement with China, particularly in my home state of Western Australia?

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

I thank the honourable member for his question. He is aware that this government has made major commitments to infrastructure around Australia, including more than $5.4 billion for infrastructure projects in Western Australia. There are some really big projects on the list, projects like $925 million to the Perth Freight Link, $894 million to NorthLink WA and $676 million to the Gateway project in Perth, which was opened by the Prime Minister over the weekend. So we are making substantial investments in Western Australia, and we added another $116 million for the duplication of the Armadale Road—

Ms Butler interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Griffith will cease interjecting!

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

with the announcement by the Prime Minister over the weekend. These are key projects that will make a difference to Western Australian exporters in accessing the port and accessing the airport. I am sure the honourable member will be aware that the vast majority of Western Australia's exports of manufactured goods and valued-added food projects pass through the port of Fremantle. And most of the consumer goods coming into Western Australia come through the port of Fremantle. So it is a very important piece of infrastructure.

Ms Butler interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Griffith is warned.

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

China accounts for 40 per cent of Australia's exports but for Western Australia the figure is 51 per cent. Over half of all the exports from Western Australia go to China. It is quite staggering to know that exports to China from Western Australia have increased from $5 billion to $64 billion in the last decade. That is obviously so critical, therefore, to the export industries of Western Australia.

When it comes to Western Australian imports, the second most important country for imports is from China. So you would think, of all states, there would be unanimous support for the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement. You would think that everyone would be backing this important agreement. Opening up of tariff-free entry would mean that with implementation of the program around 95 per cent of the exports will be tariff free.

This government will fight to make sure we can deliver a better future. We will fight for our exporters and we will fight for this free trade agreement, and it is high time that members opposite did exactly the same. If they want a bright future for Western Australia they will be backing the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement.