Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I propose to add Senator Glenn Sterle's name as a co-sponsor of the motion. Before I move the motion on behalf of myself and Senator Sterle, I seek leave to make a very brief statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the chamber. I will be very brief. This is not a move that we take lightly. This motion proposes and requests a reference to the Auditor-General to investigate the funding decisions that were made that led to proposed funding for the WestConnex project in New South Wales and the Perth Freight Link in Western Australia. On the proposal for the Auditor-General to investigate these two projects, I wrote to the Auditor-General last 9 July and then met with the Auditor-General on 12 August, proposing a reference on these very matters on the basis of the Auditor-General's excellent work on the East West Link project that effectively changed a state government in Victoria. We do not take this sort of step lightly, and in fact I think this is probably the first time that I have done something like this through a Senate motion. We think the debacle over the Perth Freight Link and WestConnex project funding absolutely is a prime candidate for the Auditor-General's careful scrutiny, and I commend this motion to the chamber.

Scott Ryan (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Scott Ryan (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the chamber. There are currently more than 90 active large projects across the country. The Perth Freight Link is a good project. Infrastructure Australia has identified that the project will address a nationally significant problem, aligns with strategic priorities and delivers economic benefits. WestConnex is also a good project. The economic benefits to New South Wales are estimated to exceed $20 billion. Recent enhancements to WestConnex are designed to improve the performance of the overall Sydney motorway network—for example, by adding a connection for a future western harbour road crossing. Infrastructure Australia is currently reviewing the revised business case and has considered earlier business cases. Both Perth Freight Link and WestConnex have been funded after project evaluations.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Ryan. Just to be technical, Senator Ludlam, could you now move your motion.

Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would be delighted to, Mr President. I, and also on behalf of Senator Sterle, move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes the findings of the Federal Auditor-General's report that examined approval and administration of federal funding for the East West Link project, including:

(i) the commitment of $3 billion funding went against 'clear advice' from the public service that the project had not been justified and was not ready,

(ii) neither stage of the project had proceeded fully through processes that have been established to assess the merits of nationally significant infrastructure investments prior to the decision to approve $3 billion in Commonwealth funding,

(iii) at the time the commitment was made it was not considered to have yet demonstrated strong strategic and economic merit by Infrastructure Australia, and

(iv) the payment came just months after the Coalition promised not to fund infrastructure projects worth more than $100 million without the publication of a proper cost-benefit analysis;

(b) notes that the Federal Government funded the East West Link project at the same time as it cancelled existing investment in public transport projects like the Perth Light Rail project and the Melbourne Metro Rail project – both of which had been assessed and included by Infrastructure Australia on their infrastructure priority list; and

(c) requests that, given the almost identical characteristics, the Auditor-General investigate the Commonwealth funding approvals and decisions taken for the Perth Freight Link and WestConnex projects.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that notice of motion No. 1014 moved by Senator Ludlam be agreed to.