Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for his question and acknowledge that he is one of the most hardworking senators in this place. I am absolutely delighted to outline some of the significant and truly nation-building initiatives the coalition is delivering through this year's budget. The government is delivering a record $75 billion in infrastructure funding and financing, including a $20 billion commitment to passenger and freight rail. The investments we are making will unlock the potential of our cities and our regions. The $8.4 billion for the inland rail will be nation changing. Others have been talking about it for years, but it is this coalition government that is delivering the inland rail. We will also invest $10 billion to establish a national rail program which will transform our cities and our regions by better connecting our cities, suburbs and surrounding regional areas right across Australia. Our commitment to rail as part of this year's budget also includes a $500 million regional Victorian rail package which will improve the regional rail network, including the North East line, the Gippsland Line and the Geelong Line, as well as a study into improving the Shepparton line.

Senator McKenzie interjecting—

Thank you, Senator McKenzie. In addition to rail, this year's budget also sees a significant investment in roads right around the nation by investing $6.7 billion to upgrade the Bruce Highway; $192 million into the Northern Territory as part of the Northern Australia Roads Program; in Victoria, delivering on the $392 million for 35 projects promised at the last election, such as the Echuca-Moama bridge; in South Australia we are investing $85 million to upgrade the APY Lands' main access road, which will support 55 jobs during construction; in New South Wales, we are finally making the Western Sydney Airport a reality, with a $5.3 billion equity funding injection.