Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

The Australian government is absolutely committed to the Perth Freight Link project. It is a very important project for the Western Australian economy and the community in my home state of Western Australia. It is progressing as planned and construction will start early this year. The Perth Freight Link will provide the missing link in Perth's urban transport corridor by connecting the main industrial areas with the Fremantle port, reducing traffic times for heavy vehicles and improving the safety on arterial roads. The Roe Highway extension component of the project will also service any future development of the outer harbor.

The summary business case for the Perth Freight Link, which was released in December last year, details the significant productivity benefits this project will deliver. It is stated that the project is expected to deliver a 9.5 minute travel time saving for heavy vehicles travelling to the Fremantle port and a total of $840 million in vehicle operating cost savings. In addition, 2,400 jobs will be created to benefit the Western Australian economy. It is not the place of this Senate to make planning decisions on behalf of the great state of Western Australia.