Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

I think I thank Senator Leyonhjelm for the supplementary question! It is fair to say that I think the building of canals would probably encounter some significant opposition and environmental challenges from our friend and New South Wales colleague Senator Rhiannon and the other Greens. I can actually suggest two venues for water activities—Cables Wake Park, at Penrith, and certain parts of the Nepean River. As a senator who lives and works in Western Sydney, I am very proud to be part of a government that is the best friend Western Sydney has ever had. We are strongly committed to Western Sydney, which is Australia's third largest economy. We are making record investments in infrastructure projects, including the Western Sydney Airport, WestConnex and the Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan. In that process we will be adding $24 billion to the Australian economy; and 60,000 direct and indirect jobs in Western Sydney will be created just as a result of the government's decision to construct the Western Sydney Airport. The airport and the associated $3.6 billion Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan will create 7,600 jobs in construction. (Time expired)