Andrew Gee (Calare, Independent) | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. On 30 June I stood in this House and asked when we would see federal funding for more lanes over the closed Convict Bridge on the Great Western Highway and an ongoing business support package. Since that time, we've seen accidents, detours and road closures seemingly on a daily basis. In fact, I was at the Donnybrook Hotel just recently, and business is down by 60 per cent. Prime Minister, when will we see some federal funding for more lanes over the closed Convict Bridge and an ongoing business support package?

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Calare for his question and for his strong advocacy, together with the member for Macquarie. They have both been relentless in pursuing these issues. Of course, as the member for Macquarie is aware and I'm sure the member for Calare as well, we have had discussions with the NSW Government about these issues. I've raised it very directly with Premier Minns. Minister King, who I'll ask to respond further on this, has also been deeply involved with the local community in addressing these issues.

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

Thanks very much to the member for the question. I too acknowledge both your and the member for Macquarie's advocacy on this. I understand this has had a really huge impact on the businesses, and I, again, thank you for drawing the House's attention to that.

I've been briefed regularly by New South Wales Minister Aitchison, as the NSW Government is managing the closure and the delivery of work. I can confirm that Minister Aitchinson has written directly to me seeking a Commonwealth funding contribution towards the project. We welcome the opportunity to partner with the NSW government, and I will have more to say very, very shortly. The NSW Government has announced they will enter into an alliance contract with Seymour Whyte to deliver a new and more durable crossing at Mitchell's Causeway. Construction on parts of that has already started, and the road is expected to reopen in the second quarter of next year. The NSW Government, I understand, on Friday announced an expanded package of support for local businesses affected by the closure, including increasing grants up to $25,000 for the most impacted businesses and expanding eligibility for assistance. I know they are acutely aware of the significance of the issue.

These announcements are providing communities with some better certainty about what to expect in terms of the reopening. We do know that this is a very important issue for both of your electorates and the Blue Mountains community in particular, and we'll have more to say shortly.