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

My question is addressed to the Prime Minister. Is the Prime Minister aware that under the so-called National Rail Program not a single dollar is available in this entire term of parliament? There is nothing this year, nothing next year and nothing the year after that. Isn't the National Rail Program in fact the new NAIF—the 'No Actual Infrastructure Fund'?

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable member for his question. I am honoured to be asked a question by him. I do not know how he managed to break through the tactics meeting this morning and get a guernsey. And, of course, we reflect on the fact that he has laid claim to every piece of infrastructure in Australia and beyond, including the pyramids and the Appian Way!

My government is investing a record $75 billion over the next decade for roads, rail and airports. We are getting on with the job. We are committed to providing the infrastructure, the sinews, for the 21st century economy that Australia needs. We are finding that there are major projects that the Labor Party is opposing or seeking to frustrate, not least of which is the Inland Rail. The Inland Rail as an idea has been around for a long time. It was discussed at the federal convention debate in the 1890s.

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

The member for Grayndler on a point of order?

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

It was a very specific question about the National Rail Program, which has zero dollars this year, zero next year and zero the year after that—not a single dollar this decade.

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

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

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am advised by the minister there is $600 million for that alone over the forwards in the $10 billion plan. So that contradicts what the honourable member has said. But the honourable member would be well aware that rail projects in the time we are talking about take a long time in the planning and so it is important that the commitment is made well in advance, which it has been, and that the money is available as and when it is required.

The coalition government are absolutely committed to investing $75 billion in national infrastructure over the next decade, and we are getting on with infrastructure investment right across the board. I mentioned the Inland Rail, which the Labor Party does not seem to have very much passion for. I have noted that the Queensland Premier wants to hold it hostage until there is commitment to the Cross River Rail in Brisbane. So a vital piece of nation-building infrastructure across regional Australia is to be held hostage until there is a commitment to an urban rail project in the middle of Brisbane. That hardly seems to be a commitment to the national interest. Right across the board, whether it is in rail or road, there is a $75 billion commitment over the next decade. One of the honourable members opposite was speaking before question time about the National Broadband Network—that absolute train wreck we inherited from the Labor Party. We are connecting more paying customers every two weeks than Labor did in six years, so Labor cannot lecture us about infrastructure. (Time expired)

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

I seek leave to table a document for the benefit of the Prime Minister—page 49 of Budget Paper No. 3. It states zero, zero, zero—

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

The member for Grayndler will resume his seat. I am not even going to seek leave for that because it is part of the papers of the parliament. I understand you are disappointed.