Matthew Canavan (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Minister for Resources and Northern Australia) Share this | Hansard source

The only reason that this government has the capacity to make these nation-building investments—these game-changing investments for our country—is that we have managed our nation's budget. It's because we've managed other people's money better than others have done before us. We are producing the first surplus in this nation in a decade, and that allows us to have the capacity to invest in things that will make this country stronger. So, yes, this Inland Rail project is a large project, at over $9 billion, but by managing the budget properly we can have the funding to open up these opportunities for Australian farmers and for Australian regional communities.

But it doesn't stop there. We're also investing—

An honourable senator: There's more?

There is more. We're investing $44 million in a facilitation program—in an infrastructure improvement program—alongside the Inland Rail, to help small projects—like to hook up with grain silos and sidings off this major trunk line. This will open up opportunities for small towns through rural New South Wales, rural Queensland and rural Victoria. This is a fantastic project that we are building on over many years to build a better, stronger—