Andrew Wallace (Fisher, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The 2017 Queensland Labor budget is a slap in the face for all people on the Sunshine Coast. The state Labor government has spent the last year doing nothing but complaining, while we have poured $1.6 billion into much-needed infrastructure on the coast. And now, when the time comes to do its bit, it shows just how little it cares about people on the Sunshine Coast.

Our residents' first priority was the Bruce Highway. On that, the coalition government has delivered in spades. But it is very clear that the duplication of the railway line between Beerburrum and Nambour is an equally important and vital project. The Queensland government had the opportunity this week to pull their weight and finally do something substantial for Sunshine Coast people. They have failed spectacularly. The Commonwealth government's 2017 budget contained a $10 billion national rail program to help fund rail projects just like this one. I wrote to the Deputy Premier, Minister Trad, three weeks ago to request a meeting to discuss how we might work together for local people to get some of that funding for the Sunshine Coast. I have received no substantive reply. I now call upon her to schedule this meeting today. On behalf of Sunshine Coast residents, I want to know why there was no funding for the duplication of the rail in this year's budget and when she will meet me to discuss how we can move this forward.