Luke Howarth (Petrie, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Territories, Local Government and Major Projects. Would the minister please update the House and the people of Petrie about the progress of the construction of the Moreton Bay Rail Link, as locals have been notified that the rail corridor will be electrified on 2 December? What has the federal government done in the last two years to fund this project? How has the federal government been working with the Queensland state government and local government—

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

Mr Speaker—

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

The member for Grayndler will resume his seat. The member is entitled to ask his question. I remind the member for Grayndler that he has been warned. The member for Petrie can complete his question.

Luke Howarth (Petrie, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What has the federal government done in the last two years to fund this project? How has the federal government been working with the Queensland state government and the local council to make it a reality?

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

Mr Speaker—

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

I remind the member for Grayndler that he is warned and it is very difficult to take a point of order when the minister has not uttered a word.

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

Mr Speaker, I raise a point of order on the question. You can take a point of order on the question and whether the question is in order. Given that the project was completely funded by the previous government prior to the election, the question surely is out of order.

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

The question is in order. The member for Grayndler is out of order, and he will leave under 94(a).

The member for Grayndler then left the chamber.

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 Petrie for his question. I thank the member for Petrie for his tenacity in seeking and gaining the call. But, more importantly, I thank him for his strong work as an advocate for the people of Petrie. He never stops engaging with his constituents in the suburbs of North Lakes, Mango Hill and Rothwell. He is doing street stalls. He is in the coffee shops. He is working hard. I was very pleased to visit the member recently for the unveiling of the Mango Hill Station as part of the new Moreton Bay Rail Link. I was pleased, with the member, to speak with the Mango Hill Progress Association. What could be a stronger piece of evidence of progress in Mango Hill than the work which is occurring on this 14-kilometre new double track passenger rail line from Kippa-Ring to Lawton? Six stations are now practically complete, including Murrumba Downs, Mango Hill, Mango Hill East and several other stations. This is a significant achievement.

Mr Speaker, I do want to correct the record on something that was said incorrectly and inaccurately by the member for Grayndler before you asked him to leave. The reality of the figures is that $64.6 million was paid for this project prior to September 2013, but the total funding from the Commonwealth is $583 million. So far the Abbott and Turnbull governments have paid $368.4 million and we will pay a further $150 million. The former Labor member for Petrie, quite misleadingly, was telling people in the last election campaign that this link would not be built if the coalition came to power. She was quite wrong.

Of course, we have the member for Grayndler, who really is likely the Pete Best of the parliament. In everything that comes up he says, 'I was there. I was in Hamburg drumming away. I am really part of the Beatles. I am really one of the big performers here.' This is the man who claims he was responsible for the building of the pyramids, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and the palace of Versailles. I think he had a bit to do with the Taj Mahal. Albo is partly responsible for Mount Rushmore, apparently, and he claimed credit for the Trans-Siberian Railway. What about the Three Gorges Dam—why has Albo not been properly acknowledged for his role in the Three Gorges Dam?

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

The minister will refer to people by their correct titles.

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

The fact is that he is one of the great pretenders. He is like one of the shadowy figures in one of the European capitals saying, 'I'm really entitled to the crown.' But he is not. He is in opposition. He has gone. The Turnbull government is delivering this project and the advocacy of the member for Petrie is critical to delivering this to the people of Petrie.

Government members interjecting—

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

Members on my right will cease interjecting.