Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Xenophon for that question. The first point I would make is that the honourable senator should not believe every bit of partisan propaganda coming from the South Australian Labor state government. The South Australian Labor state government in Adelaide takes a very partisan and destructive approach, while other governments, like the Labor government in Western Australia, have chosen to work with the government.

The second point I would make—and I think the enthusiastic noise from this side of the chamber was a reflection of this—is that the Turnbull government is the best friend South Australia has ever had. We are making record investments into South Australia, not the least of which is to support a $90 billion naval shipbuilding program, predominantly centred around Adelaide in South Australia, which includes a very significant infrastructure investment into upgrading the Osborne shipyard facilities which will start from 1 July 2017. Our commitment also includes about $1.6 billion towards upgrading the North-South Corridor, a key freight and passenger route through Adelaide, $835 million of which will be invested in the '17-18 financial year. There are a whole range of other commitments. There is a long list that I can assist Senator Xenophon with.

I will mention just a few more. There is $40 million towards South Australian local roads, and Senator Xenophon would be very aware of this because, as well as having received representations from South Australian Liberal members and senators, we of course have had representations from you and your team in relation to this particular topic.

We are investing $68 million into the proton beam facility in South Australia, which you would also be very well aware of. And there is a $10 billion national rail program which South Australia can apply for, to support the AdeLINK project. But we have not received a submission yet—we have not received a proposal from the South Australian government. (Time expired)