Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes:

(i) the resounding defeat of the Barnett Government in Western Australia on 11 March 2017,

(ii) the unnecessary, destructive land-clearing undertaken by Main Roads Department contractors at the site of the proposed Roe Highway project in the Beeliar Wetlands in contravention of state and federal approval conditions, and

(iii) that the incoming McGowan Government has committed to cancel the project;

(b) congratulates Aboriginal leaders, community organisers, local governments and local residents for their defiant and ultimately successful campaign to protect country and culture in the Beeliar Wetlands; and

(c) calls on the Government to ensure that Commonwealth funds worth $1.2 billion committed to the unwanted Roe Highway project are reallocated to public transport, rail freight upgrades and rehabilitation of the Roe Highway corridor.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

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

Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Commonwealth government's $1.2 billion funding commitment to the Perth Freight Link is specific to this project and follows detailed planning work and a positive assessment of the business case by Infrastructure Australia. If the McGowan government decides to seek funding from the Commonwealth for other projects, it is welcome to apply through the usual channels. Under well-established government policy, any project requiring more than $100 million in Commonwealth funding will first need to be assessed by Infrastructure Australia.

Question agreed to.