House debates

Wednesday, 23 November 2016

Statements by Members

Sunshine Coast Infrastructure

1:55 pm

Photo of Ted O'BrienTed O'Brien (Fairfax, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

I am delighted to say something positive on the back of such negativity coming from the opposition. When it comes to strong representation, the Sunshine Coast is back. Admittedly, we actually had a few tough years, because my predecessor, the former member for Fairfax, was a serial absentee. I think he attended less than eight per cent of divisions. But, boy, has the world changed now. It has changed because we have a united force, with the member for Fisher, with the member for Wide Bay and with me as the member for Fairfax, working exactly how the Turnbull government works: delivering as a united team.

Look at the big ticket items on the Sunshine Coast. Take the Bruce Highway, with over a billion dollars on local stretches of the Bruce Highway. Then there is the Sunshine Coast Airport. Within four months alone, what have we seen? We have seen an environmental green light—tick, done, delivered. We have also seen the designation of the airport as an international airport—done, tick, delivered. As of last week, the Turnbull government announced a $181 million concessional loan to that airport—done, tick, delivered. We will continue to work as a united team to deliver for the Sunshine Coast.