Ms Catherine King (Ballarat, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to support the Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2025-2026 and related bills. These additional estimates appropriation bills provide the legislative basis for the Albanese government's policy decisions taken in MYEFO. MYEFO is often something that gets a bit overlooked in the wash, and I doubt there are many Australians there who are following the passage of this legislation closely today, but fair enough—it can be a bit of a dry topic.

Let me tell you what those decisions mean practically. They mean that people across the country will continue to have access to the Cheaper Home Batteries Program. In the six months following its establishment, this program has helped more than 250,000 households and small businesses cut their power bills and take control of their energy. In my electorate of Ballarat, more than 1,000 batteries have been installed—that's 1,000 households who in many instances have seen their energy bills reduced to zero. Interest continues to grow in the program, and that's why in MYEFO we announced the program will be expanding from $2.3 billion to $7.2 billion over four years, which is expected to see two million Australians install a battery by 2030, delivering around 40 gigawatt hours of capacity, doubling our election estimate of one million batteries and increasing by almost four times the expected capacity.

These bills also mean that Australians have access to cheaper medicines. On New Year's Day Australians woke up from their celebrations to the news that general patients would now pay no more than $25 per PBS script. The last time it was that cheap was back in 2004, well over 20 years ago. They also mean the launch of 1800MEDICARE, a 24/7 service which provides expert health advice, referrals and reassurance to people calling about their healthcare needs. It is expected that around 250,000 Australians will avoid an unnecessary trip to the hospital emergency department each year because of the health advice and services provided through 1800MEDICARE. This includes up to 130,000 free urgent telehealth GP services each year by the end of the decade.

These appropriation bills also mean a tax cut for every taxpayer. Only this government is delivering a further two rounds of personal income tax cuts for every Australian taxpayer, adding to the first round of tax cuts that commenced back in 2024. Under these changes, from 1 July this year, the 16 per cent tax rate, which applies to taxable income between $18,201 and $45,000, will be reduced to 15 per cent, and from 1 July 2027, this tax rate will be reduced further to 14 per cent. We estimate that, on average, that's $50 back in your pocket each and every week.

These appropriation bills mean more support for our domestic and international security, with additional funding going towards strengthening our social cohesion and safeguarding Australia's domestic interests from anything that might threaten our peace and prosperity. In my portfolio, it means addressing cost pressures and continuing to build the critical infrastructure and transport projects that Australians rely on each and every day. That's what these MYEFO appropriations bills do, and it shows you what this government is committed to.

The government is focused on easing cost-of-living pressure for Australians now and looking forward to what Australians will need into the future, because unlike those opposite we're not focused on the past. We're not stuck in reprosecuting old ideologies over and over again, solely intent on tearing ourselves apart. We're not trying desperately to revive old policies soundly rejected by the public, as they did—and continue to do—with their $700 billion nuclear energy policy. We are focused on the things that matter to Australians today.

I'm very fortunate to serve in a portfolio where Australians can see the government's investments every day: on the roads they drive; in the trains, buses and planes they catch; and at airports that they go through. We're continuing the work of delivering these crucial investments through our infrastructure investment pipeline, which is worth over $120 billion over the decade. It's going to be a big year for infrastructure fans out there, and, I have to say, it's already been a pretty big month.

I was incredibly proud to be able to announce in Newcastle the next phase of high-speed rail. Together with my good friends the member for Paterson and the member for Newcastle, I announced $659.6 million into the two-year development phase that will ensure that the high-speed rail Sydney-to-Newcastle line is construction-ready and ready for a final investment decision by the government.

High-speed rail is ambitious, but its benefits are enormous. The business case, which I also released at the time, shows that the economic activity generated by the high-speed rail Sydney-to-Newcastle line is around $250 billion, with 99,000 jobs expected to be created from building this line, stretching from advanced manufacturing to increased tourism opportunities, and 160,000 homes will be unlocked along the line.

We are a purposeful government doing the cautious, diligent work to build the infrastructure Australia will need well into the future. We've learnt the lessons from previous projects, such as the disastrous rollout, frankly, of Inland Rail, which was announced with no idea about where it would start or end or how much it would actually cost. High-speed rail is the example of the kind of project a serious government can deliver.

Of course, it doesn't stop there. This year we'll see the opening of the Western Sydney International Airport to freight and to passengers. Started 12 years ago, under the then infrastructure minister and now prime minister, Sydney will finally have its much-needed second airport.

In Victoria, I was pleased to recently attend the start of early works on the Sunshine Superhub—the next step in building the Melbourne Airport Rail link—much anticipated. Like high-speed rail and Western Sydney airport, a rail link to Melbourne Airport has been talked about for a long time. Under this government, it is starting to be delivered.

In Western Australia, we've just heard that the construction of METRONET is complete, with the final—23rd and concluding—project, the new Midland Station, now open to passengers. The project has been transformative: 72 kilometres of new passenger rail and 23 new stations stretching right the way across Perth, changing the way many Western Australians travel. It's unlocked new business opportunities, new housing and new community infrastructure as well.

In Queensland, our historic investment in the Bruce Highway is making the road safer and easier to travel. Just over a year ago, I joined the Prime Minister in Gympie to announce the additional $7.2 billion investment in the Bruce to improve the highway north of Gympie to Cairns. It takes our government's total investment in the Bruce up to more than $17 billion, and construction is underway from Mackay down to Dohles Rocks.

It was incredibly exciting also to be in South Australia late last year to see the arrival of the tunnel-boring machines to help build the $15.4 billion non-stop North-South Corridor. I know the minister at the table is very excited about that project in her home state. When this project is complete, South Australians can expect to bypass 21 sets of traffic lights and cut travel times by up to 40 minutes during peak hour. In the ACT we've seen the first section of tracks laid for light rail stage 2A, marking a major milestone in extending the network to Commonwealth Park. In the Northern Territory, contracts have recently been awarded to continue sealing the Tanami Road, with works to begin in the coming months.

Shovels are in the ground across the country. It's possible because we did the hard work of cleaning up the infrastructure investment pipeline. Of course, when we came to government back in 2022, we walked into a mess, frankly. We had a pipeline that was simply underfunded and under-planned, resulting in us having to find an additional $33 billion if we were to deliver every project on the pipeline. We cleaned up that mess, making sure every project in the pipeline is properly planned and able to be delivered.

Our investments in transport are also demonstrating what can be achieved when we have a sensible government focused on delivering for Australians. Our support for the administration and subsequent acquisition of Rex Airlines has helped to keep flight prices down and provide choice for regional Australians. Likewise, our new vehicle efficiency standard is increasing vehicle choices for consumers while helping to bring down emissions. Those opposite claimed that NVES would destroy the weekend and that we were banning utes. I'm not sure that they'll be pleased to know this, but there are now electric utes in Australia. More ranges are expected to be offered, but they're still around. The traditional ute still exists as well. Through the work of the transport portfolio, we are continuing to both deliver the infrastructure Australians need and ensure our transport systems continue to move.

My electorate, of course, is also a very special place I want to talk about. It's one of history, diversity and opportunity, from Daylesford and the spa country in the north, the proud communities of Shelford and Teesdale in the south and the city of Ballarat itself, the home of Australian unionism and the Eureka stockade right in the middle of Ballarat. I never take for granted the honour it is to represent my community here in our nation's capital, and I continue to work every day to get the best outcomes for people in Ballarat.

Throughout last year's election campaign, I had the opportunity to respond to the advocacy of our councils and many local organisations and to commit to a number of projects that would make a tangible and positive difference to local people. One of the most important of those in our community is the Continuous Voices Memorial in Victoria Park. I've spoken before in this place of Ballarat's history of institutional abuse and the way that it continues to echo through generations. For some time now, local survivors and supporters have been working together on the design of a memorial, a place of healing, recognition and quiet reflection, a place in the heart of Victoria Park that acknowledges and honours all survivors of sexual abuse and assault. I was incredibly proud to stand with survivors and their supporters in Ballarat's Victoria Park and commit $500,000 for the Continuous Voices Memorial. This commitment from this government together with the previously announced support from the Victorian government and the City of Ballarat will ensure this project is a reality. The commitment assures survivors that we see you, we believe you and we support you, and it will provide a space for everybody to continue to reflect on what happened not only in our town but across the country.

As, of course, a very proud and welcoming country, we are proud and welcoming community, one where people support each other. The Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council operates out of an old high-school building called the Ballarat Welcome Centre. It's a beautiful site, but the building needs some love, and I was delighted to pledge $500,000 to revitalise its facilities. The role of the Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council and the work that they do to ensure social cohesion and harmony in our community has been starkly highlighted by some terrible events that occurred at an iftar event in my community in the suburb of Alfredton. This is not the reflection that any of us want to see of our community, and I want to thank the many members, including the Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council, who have been supporting members of the Muslim community in Ballarat recently and will continue to over the coming days and weeks. The money to BRMC will improve its accessibility and support the multicultural council to do its important work in our city going forward.

The Ballarat Agricultural Show has also played an iconic role in Ballarat for almost 170 years. This show is something many families look forward to each year and it's always a brilliant day out. It's run by a terrific group of volunteers. They don't just deliver the show but also play an integral role in supporting primary producers and showcasing agriculture throughout the region and lots of other events as well. We've committed over $1.5 million towards the event and exhibition centre. I'm really looking forward to its hosting the Ballarat Wine Show, agricultural workshops and private events as well. In essence, it will ensure the sustainability of the show for generations to come.

We've also committed to community soccer upgrades in Creswick and Daylesford, pretty important areas, as well as to the Don Wallace Recreation Reserve through to Teasdale. The other commitment we made during the election was to the Veterans Hub. It will be a place of connection and practical support for the servicemen and women to whom we owe so much in our community, and also for their families and their supporters. Our work is well under way in making sure that that Veterans Hub becomes a reality, and I do want to thank and particularly acknowledge not only Andrew Hamilton and the team behind the Ballarat Veterans Assistance Centre for their many years of advocacy for this project but also the City of Ballarat for being fully prepared to step forward with premises to actually now make this hub a reality.

I'm looking forward to the progress across all of these election commitments from 2025. We've recently seen some of the 2022 election commitments opened, cutting the ribbon on the Vicars Street Community Hub, a terrific new multigenerational facility in my electorate, the Central Springs Recreational Reserve and work is progressing on other projects across the electorate. I would recommend a visit, for anyone who is keen to go, to the springs in Daylesford. It is a beautiful place featured on The Block just last year and I know they've seen visitors go up as a result of that.

I'm thrilled again to be able to have the opportunity to not only represent my community—it's the proudest job I have—but also to lead the infrastructure and transport portfolios and to do so within a government that is committed to delivering for all Australians. I commend the appropriation bills to the House.

See this speech in context