Arthur Sinodinos (NSW, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the diligent Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Senator Cash, in her capacity representing the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development. Will the minister inform the Senate of how the coalition government is delivering on its promise to build the infrastructure of the 21st century?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Sinodinos for his question. This government promised the Australian people that if we were elected to govern we would deliver to them the infrastructure of the 21st century, and that is exactly what we are doing. This government has made a historic investment into infrastructure of $50 billion through to 2019-20. I remind senators that our investment into infrastructure is $16.4 billion more than what those opposite promised. That is right: $16.4 billion more than what those opposite promised. Under this government, 84 projects are currently under construction right across Australia, with another 88 projects in detailed planning stages, with construction expected to commence in the near future.

In terms of major works, they include the Pacific Highway, in New South Wales, for which 60 per cent, or 397 kilometres, of the final highway length has already been duplicated, with a further 123 kilometres under construction. A total of 2,137 construction workers were on-site across the Pacific Highway at the end of last year.

Then, of course, under this government there is the Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan, where work is already underway on stage 1 of the $509 million Bringelly Road upgrade, which will support the new Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek. But we do not stop there. In Queensland construction is underway on seven major projects. In Tasmania, construction has commenced on seven safety work projects along the Midland Highway. In my home state of Western Australia, construction on the first stage of works along the North West Coastal Highway commenced in January 2015. We said we would deliver on infrastructure and that is exactly what this government is doing. (Time expired)

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order on my left.

Arthur Sinodinos (NSW, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Will the minister update the Senate on the action the government is taking to improve infrastructure in my home state of New South Wales, and outline how this will create jobs in that great state?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As Senator Sinodinos knows, investing in infrastructure is critical for the people of Sydney and the surrounding areas, as well as those living in the regional areas of New South Wales. Our decision to work with Premier Mike Baird, Deputy Premier Troy Grant and the rest of the New South Wales coalition government to invest in infrastructure is ensuring that the people of New South Wales have a strong and prosperous economy. Their economy has been boosted and productivity has increased, and we have created thousands of jobs for people on the ground.

Doug Cameron (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Tell that to the workers at GM.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Cameron.

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In terms of our $50 billion historic investment into infrastructure, we have invested $14.9 billion into projects into New South Wales. We have included $3.6 billion for the Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan, $405 million for NorthConnex, and $5.64 billion to complete the duplication of the Pacific Highway. This is a government that is committed to the people of New South Wales. (Time expired)

Arthur Sinodinos (NSW, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Will the minister update the Senate on how projects like WestConnex will improve travel times and create jobs in Western Sydney?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Projects like WestConnex that are fully supported by a coalition government will remove up to 52 sets of traffic lights, cut travel time between Parramatta and Sydney Airport by 40 minutes, remove 3,000 trucks away from Parramatta Road and halve the commute time between the inner-west and the city for those travelling by bus. This is a significant reform for the people of New South Wales. It is a significant investment in infrastructure and it is delivering real outcomes for the local people of New South Wales. The WestConnex project provides 33 kilometres of continuous traffic-light-free motorway to link the west and south-west of Sydney with the city, the airport and the port. The project will create at least 10,000 jobs in Sydney. This government knows that investment in infrastructure is good for the state economy and it is good for the people of New South Wales.