Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is addressed to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure. Is the Deputy Prime Minister considering abandoning his support for the government's $80 billion handout to big business so he can actually allocate funds for the Western Sydney rail project, which the government failed to fund in the budget?

Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the shadow minister for his question. One thing I'll say about the Nationals is that, when we say something, we put our names to it. We're backing the tax plan of the government. The Liberal and National parties—the Turnbull-McCormack government—are backing the tax plan of the government. And I'll tell you why we're backing it: because it's a blueprint for our economic future. It's a 10-year enterprise tax plan just like we've got a 10-year infrastructure investment pipeline. There is $75 billion in investing in the infrastructure that this country needs, that Australians want, demand, expect and deserve. That's what we're doing.

But I'll just go back to his little point about the newspaper article today and I'll say again that, at least when National Party members make a comment to the press, they put their name to it. I tell you what: we often hear shadow ministers, Labor sources and Left sources making comments about the leadership of the man opposite—the leadership of the member for Maribyrnong. And do you know why? Because he's on borrowed time, and the member who asked the question knows it because he's going to be the biggest beneficiary when the member for Maribyrnong falls over. But I say again that the Nationals and the Liberals are in lock step with the tax plan.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Grayndler on a point of order?

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is a point of order, indeed, Mr Speaker. I seek leave to table—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No—

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm trying to help him, Mr Speaker!

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You're not helping me. Resume your seat.

Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'll tell you why the Nationals are in lock step with the Liberal Party when it comes to the Ten Year Enterprise Tax Plan. But don't take my word for it; let's talk about Barbara and Brian Carey, who run Warehouse Cafe in Bunbury, in the member for Forrest's electorate. She's right behind it because she knows that the tax reduction that she's going to get is going to help her business, just like the instant asset write-off. Another is Rick Casagrande of Hotweld Engineering in Bunbury, in the member for Forrest's electorate. There are a whole host of them. Warners Fine Jewellery in Bundaberg, in the member for Hinkler's electorate, is another. They're all behind the Ten Year Enterprise Tax Plan. Jason McPherson of CPM Engineering in Gympie, in the member for Wide Bay's electorate, is another. They know that the Ten Year Enterprise Tax Plan is going to create more jobs.

When it comes to more jobs, there's no way better of doing it than the Liberals and Nationals' Ten Year Enterprise Tax Plan. We've achieved, through the help of small and medium family enterprises and big business, a million jobs in less than five years. We said we'd do it in five years. We achieved it five months early—because that's what we do. We've got a plan; we're creating jobs; we're lowering taxes. All these opposite stand for is more taxes and fewer jobs.

Luke Howarth (Petrie, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is also to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. Will the Deputy Prime Minister please update the House on how the government is investing in nation-building, job-creating infrastructure in Queensland, including in my electorate of Petrie? Is the Deputy Prime Minister aware of any contrasting propositions?

Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would like to thank the member Petrie for his question, and for his hard work in representing his electorate, and for representing Queensland and for representing the best interests of the nation. He knows all too well how this government, the Liberal-Nationals government—the Turnbull-McCormack government, indeed—

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

A rousing cheer! He knows how we're investing in infrastructure such as the Deception Bay Road interchange upgrade. Let me give you a few details.

Opposition members interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Members on my left!

Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Even the member for Griffith is yelling and she hasn't even got a voice, Mr Speaker! The Deception Bay Road interchange upgrade is a $120 million Commonwealth commitment to a new six-lane overpass. It increases safety; it reduces travel times; there will be less congestion. This is a congestion-busting budget, championed by the member for Petrie. He's getting on with the job, just like all Liberal-Nationals are doing. The Deception Bay project is part of a wider package of works on the Bruce Highway, where we've just committed funding to section D. I know how much that means to the member for Wide Bay and, moreover, the people he represents. Our commitment is now up to $10 billion, a historic amount. Communities along the entire Bruce will benefit from our record $75 billion 10-year pipeline of investment. This is nation-building infrastructure, building our future, boosting productivity and creating local jobs—50,000 direct and indirect jobs, including in communities in Longman, where a substantial part of the more than $1.4 billion Pine River to Caloundra Road interchange upgrade will be built. It's a 60-kilometre corridor and the most heavily trafficked section of the Bruce Highway. This funding is going to create hundreds of jobs in that particular region, improving travel times, flood immunity, road standards and, of course, safety.

We've also committed to rail development in Queensland, particularly the Beerburrum to Nambour rail upgrade to the north of Longman, which is set to benefit—

Honourable members interjecting—

I hear team Queensland saying 'Hear, hear!' The members for Fisher and Fairfax are right behind it, as all Queenslanders should be, including the member for Griffith, who has lost her voice. Long called for, won by team Queensland and LNP members, and funded by the LNP government, this project will upgrade 40 kilometres of rail infrastructure, increase freight and passenger capacity on the North Coast line, reduce travel times and increase travel reliability.

I'm asked what the alternatives are. Well, it's the banana republic over there on the opposition side, who build absolutely nothing anywhere near anything. What they stand for is higher taxes and fewer jobs.