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

My question—

Barnaby Joyce (New England, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You've got to get off my campaign team! You've got to get off my campaign team!

Mr Pyne interjecting—

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

The Deputy Prime Minister and the Leader of the House!

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

You're conceding you're campaigning?

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

I am not going to mention them again for interjecting without there being action. Don't even finish the word!

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 Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. Given that the minister has responsibility for infrastructure, why is it that it was the member for New England and not the minister for infrastructure who issued a media release announcing that the government this month had called for tenders to build the Scone bypass? Given this project was funded in the 2013 budget, why has it taken the prospect of a snap by-election in New England to panic this government into action on this vital project for a member for New England who's—

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

The member for Grayndler will resume his seat.

Darren Chester (Gippsland, National Party, Deputy Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I want to thank the member for Grayndler. It's actually my birthday next Wednesday; it's very kind of him to give me three questions a week early!

As the member for Grayndler would understand if he had a look at the Turnbull-Joyce government's $75 billion Infrastructure Investment Program, there are so many projects around Australia that I couldn't possibly get out to announce every one of them. I need to rely on my good friend the Leader of the Nationals and Deputy Prime Minister to make the announcement in his own electorate.

Last week I had the opportunity to travel the Pacific Highway. I met with the member for Page, announcing 400 new jobs in his electorate. Then I travelled to the member for Capricornia's seat and the member for Flynn's seat, and we were looking at the massive upgrades to the Bruce Highway project. Right across Australia, this government is delivering roads, bridges, train lines, seaports and airports—the infrastructure that will make a difference in people's lives.

The member for New England is doing an extraordinary job in delivering for his constituents, because he understands that when you build good infrastructure you will change people's lives and you will save people's lives. It's changing lives by creating new jobs in his community, whether it be in Scone or in Tenterfield, or for those who will benefit from the Bolivia Hill project. It will also save lives because—as you're aware, Mr Speaker—in regional Australia, the road toll is something that we're very concerned about. Investing in better, safer roads, investing in good infrastructure, will reduce road trauma in regional communities, including in New England.

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

The minister will resume his seat for a moment. 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

Yes, Mr Speaker. It goes to relevance. The question went to why nothing for four years—

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

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

Darren Chester (Gippsland, National Party, Deputy Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Grayndler likes to pretend that he built everything. I think he pretended at one stage he was responsible for the Sphinx, but—

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

The minister will put that prop down and resume his seat for a second.

Honourable members interjecting—

Members on my right, cease interjecting. The member for Hunter can wait as well. I know there's a bit of a traffic jam there, but I just want to address the issue of props.

Honourable members interjecting—

Members, if I can have your attention for a second, please. The minister resumed his seat. I'm making it very clear: I'm going to have a much lower tolerance for props from now on, not just in question time but throughout all of the parliamentary proceedings. If members want to familiarise themselves with the practice, I'd advise them to do so. There are occasions when props are tolerated to illustrate answers in a factual way, but they are very limited in question time and through debate. I'm giving forewarning for those who flout that ruling that they'll simply lose the call. Now, the member for Grayndler is seeking leave to table a document?

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

Yes, I am. It is a media release from Barnaby Joyce, 'Tenders called to build the Scone bypass'. It's not on the department's website.

Leave not granted.