Gerard Rennick (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the following matter be referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report by 10 December 2024:

The proposal for the Australian Government to assume complete responsibility for federal highways, with particular regard to:

(a) the funding, construction and maintenance of federal highways;

(b) the training and utilisation of military engineers to construct and maintain federal highways; and

(c) any other related matters.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Under Australia's system of federation, states and territories have responsibility for building and maintaining our highways, while the Commonwealth government contributes funding. Having the Commonwealth and the ADF assume responsibility for highway construction and maintenance from states and territories would present significant constitutional and practical barriers that would make such a suggestion impossible. While the ADF is there in moments of greatest need, the primary role of the Defence Force is the defence of the nation.

The Albanese government is focused on delivering practical outcomes to improve our roads. This includes an unprecedented increase in maintenance funding, which, after being frozen for nine years under the coalition, has now been indexed at 2½ per cent per year and backdated to when the freeze was brought in.

Question negatived.