Anne Webster (Mallee, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I'm actually delighted to speak on this subject of infrastructure and absolutely refute the suggestions of the opposition that the infrastructure development put forward by this government and implemented by this government over years are not substantial. I would like to say that in Mallee in particular we have done incredibly well, and this budget is further evidence of the work that is being done by this government to value regional communities, particularly the community of Mallee.

In this budget, Mallee has received $37.7 million in local roads and community infrastructure—$37.7 million! That will make a huge difference to our local councils, and I have spoken to some of the leaders in our councils about this incredible announcement. The Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Fund, a regional fund, means that councils can choose which projects they want to do. They listen to their communities, they listen to their local voices and they respond. Over the past two phases, significant works have taken place, whether they were roadways, streetscapes, buildings or upgrades to halls. This particular announcement is even more funding than the combined value of phases 1 and 2. My electorate is very excited.

In addition to that, we have the Building Better Regions Fund. Mallee actually did very well out of round 4 of the Building Better Regions Fund. In Mildura we have $17.6 million dedicated to the Mildura South Regional Sporting Precinct. It is growing by the day. It is up in the sky now on, obviously, its foundations. The ovals are being built. It is a magnificent structure. From there, we move on to other projects around the electorate such as the livestock exchange down in Horsham and other worthy projects.

The Building Better Regions Fund round 6 is now going to be implemented at a higher rate. It is something that I have lobbied the Deputy Prime Minister for, because the Building Better Regions Fund is fundamentally fabulous. Everybody in Mallee enjoys and benefits from the work that is being done with these funds. Not only are we seeing buildings, not only are we seeing roads; we are seeing people employed. There are jobs happening around the electorate. It is such an incredible thing for our regions to thrive and to see them thrive through this particularly difficult year.

I have spoken about the Mildura South sports precinct and the Horsham livestock exchange. The Mallee Accommodation and Support Program in Mildura received $2.6 million for their hub. It's a magnificent building. They provide incredibly essential services for the homeless and those who are disadvantaged and vulnerable in Mildura. I was particularly thrilled that the Woodbine disability accommodation project in Warracknabeal received the money it did. We have done the sod turning for that project, and I am looking forward to seeing that project completed. It has boosted morale in Warracknabeal and will continue to boost the jobs in the region for trades and those who are providing the materials to build those buildings.

The regional funds for infrastructure are incredibly important for every small building and every small road that is built. We are committing, in addition, $15 million to the Calder Highway, between Melbourne and Mildura, arguably the most important road in Mallee, on top of the $60 million that is already committed for this corridor. This is without doubt the most important road in my electorate. We are also committing an additional $1 billion to what is now our $3 billion Road Safety Program. This additional investment will deliver thousands of kilometres of upgraded roads in regional Australia.

This government's infrastructure investments mean safer and more liveable communities for the people in Mallee. But they also mean jobs—thousands and thousands of them. The Road Safety Program alone is expected to create 4,500 jobs, while the government's entire infrastructure package will create an estimated 30,000 jobs. That is extraordinary. The Morrison-McCormack government is securing Australia's recovery with a record investment in infrastructure as part of the 2021-22 budget. We are supporting jobs, driving growth and helping to rebuild Australia's economy from the COVID-19 pandemic.

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