David Coleman (Banks, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Territories, Local Government and Major Projects. Will the minister please provide the House with an update on the impact on Banks residents of the M5 East duplication and the upgrade of the Beverley Hills M5 interchange? How will the Banks electorate, especially residents from Riverwood, Peakhurst, Lugano, Padstow, Mortdale and Narwee benefit from these changes?

Paul Fletcher (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Minister for Territories, Local Government and Major Projects) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Banks for his question because—

Honourable Member:

An honourable member interjecting—

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

Members on my right and on my left will cease interjecting.

Dr Chalmers interjecting—

The member for Rankin is warned!

Paul Fletcher (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Minister for Territories, Local Government and Major Projects) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

he has demonstrated a passionate commitment to his electorate and he has been a very strong advocate for infrastructure investment to serve the people of Banks, including suburbs such as Riverwood, Peakhurst, Lugano, Padstow, Mortdale and Narwee. The M5 East duplication and the upgrade of the King Georges Road interchange at Beverley Hills form critical parts of the WestConnex project, a vital piece of infrastructure that will bring significant benefits to the people of Banks.

Mr Mitchell interjecting —

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

The member for McEwen is warned! The level of interjections is far too high. Members want to hear the answer. There is no point of order on the level of interjections. They are unacceptable and they are disorderly.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. It might make the House quieter if the minister simply tables the preprepared notes to the 'spontaneous' question.

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

There is no point of order. The member for Watson will resume his seat.

An honourable member interjecting—

I am giving fair warning to the House: I will deal with this level of interjection, if it continues.

Paul Fletcher (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Minister for Territories, Local Government and Major Projects) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am very pleased to return to the answer I am giving to this very important question. The Leader of the Opposition might find it amusing that ministers take seriously questions from members of the House about matters of interest to their electorate, but on this side of the House we take very seriously the role of the government in meeting the needs of electorates and in responding to questions raised by members of parliament about their electorate, including, of course, the benefits that the M5 East, as part of the WestConnex project, will bring to the people of the electorate of Banks.

I am pleased to inform the House that the upgrade of the King Georges Road interchange began some 18 months ahead of schedule. One of the reasons we have been able to advance the schedule in which the M5 East is preceded with is that the federal government has provided a concessional loan of $2 billion. This has allowed the enormously important WestConnex project to proceed with the greatest possible speed. As the member for Banks has been highlighting, this particular interchange is one which raises considerable concerns but, of course, the M5 East will deliver enhanced speeds for people to get from the suburbs within the electorate of Banks into the City of Sydney and in other directions. Infrastructure is enormously important for the people of Banks and for the people of Sydney. That is why the Turnbull government is committed to the WestConnex project and we have provided a $2 billion—

Mr Albanese interjecting—

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

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

Paul Fletcher (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Minister for Territories, Local Government and Major Projects) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am advised I retain the call. I am delighted at that because I have more to say about the terrific way we are meeting the needs of the electorate of Banks and I congratulate the member for his advocacy. (Time expired)

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

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. It might assist the House if the minister was prepared to table the business case for the project, if it exists.

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

There is no point of order.