Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Government Services) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator O'Sullivan for the question and for his passionate support for the development of infrastructure right across our great state of Western Australia and, indeed, nationally. Despite what those opposite say, the Morrison-McCormack government is continuing to secure Australia's recovery with a record investment in infrastructure as part of the 2021-22 budget. This is continuing to support and secure jobs. It is driving growth and helping rebuild Australia's economy from COVID-19, which is still far from over. So not only does the $110 billion 10-year infrastructure pipeline form part of the recovery plan; it is helping secure Australia's world-leading economic recovery. This record investment in infrastructure is delivering, actually delivering, nation-building infrastructure projects and water security to inland Australia. It's not only meeting our national freight challenge but also getting Australians home sooner and safer.

This investment builds on the significant projects that the Morrison government has already delivered for Australia. Let me remind all in this chamber of some of those projects that have been delivered: the Pacific Highway to Ballina extension, $3.7 billion; the Ballarat light rail upgrade in Victoria, half a billion dollars; the North-South Corridor Darlington upgrade in South Australia, over $200 million; the Bruce Highway and Mackay Ring Road in Queensland, approximately $400 million; and, a bit closer to our home, Senator O'Sullivan, the Great Northern Highway, the Muchea to Wubin upgrade in Western Australia, $275 million. This $110 billion rollout—I will say it again; this $110 billion rollout—includes an additional $15.2 billion in new commitments. So, far from a cut, it is additional spending.