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

I thank Senator Bernardi for that question. The first point I would make is that capital investments are those that generate returns to the government over time, providing benefits for current and future generations. It is a matter of public record that this government is committed to delivering the Western Sydney Airport and, of course, we have made relevant announcements in recent times. Given that Sydney Airport was not prepared to take on, on their right of first refusal, the opportunity to develop the other airport, the government has decided to develop that airport with an intention to sell the airport once developed and operational. That is something we have already announced.

Obviously, in developing the Western Sydney Airport, for example, we are developing an asset that will have a value on our balance sheet. The reason it is treated as equity is that it is assumed to generate returns to the government over time. The specifics in relation to the total equity injections in this budget, including the profile over the forward estimates, are disclosed in table 9 on page 3-36 of Budget Paper No. 1. Also, towards the back of Budget Paper No. 2 you will be able to find the various projects that the government has decided to support with equity injections.