Darren Chester (Gippsland, National Party, Deputy Leader of the House) Share this | Hansard source

I want to thank the member for Grayndler. It's actually my birthday next Wednesday; it's very kind of him to give me three questions a week early!

As the member for Grayndler would understand if he had a look at the Turnbull-Joyce government's $75 billion Infrastructure Investment Program, there are so many projects around Australia that I couldn't possibly get out to announce every one of them. I need to rely on my good friend the Leader of the Nationals and Deputy Prime Minister to make the announcement in his own electorate.

Last week I had the opportunity to travel the Pacific Highway. I met with the member for Page, announcing 400 new jobs in his electorate. Then I travelled to the member for Capricornia's seat and the member for Flynn's seat, and we were looking at the massive upgrades to the Bruce Highway project. Right across Australia, this government is delivering roads, bridges, train lines, seaports and airports—the infrastructure that will make a difference in people's lives.

The member for New England is doing an extraordinary job in delivering for his constituents, because he understands that when you build good infrastructure you will change people's lives and you will save people's lives. It's changing lives by creating new jobs in his community, whether it be in Scone or in Tenterfield, or for those who will benefit from the Bolivia Hill project. It will also save lives because—as you're aware, Mr Speaker—in regional Australia, the road toll is something that we're very concerned about. Investing in better, safer roads, investing in good infrastructure, will reduce road trauma in regional communities, including in New England.

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