INFRASTRUCTURE — FEDERAL FUNDING
17. MR S.J. PRICE to the Minister for Transport:
I
refer to the McGowan Labor government's success in securing its fair
share of federal funding for Western Australia's unprecedented
pipeline of major infrastructure works.
(1) Can the
minister update the house on how the $1.3 billion in federal funding that the
government has secured will support the delivery of Metronet as well as this
government's record investment in both metropolitan and regional roads?
(2) Can the
minister outline to the house what these major road and rail upgrades will mean
for local jobs and the state's economic recovery?
Ms R.
SAFFIOTI replied:
I
thank the member for Forrestfield for that question. Can I also congratulate
you, Madam Speaker, on your election as the Speaker of this house.
(1)–(2) The
McGowan government has a proven track record in delivering infrastructure
throughout Western Australia. In our first four years of government, we set
about delivering a record amount of infrastructure, which created jobs and
opportunities for Western Australians. Since the election, we have rolled up
our sleeves and done it again. We have negotiated with the federal government
and secured $1.3 billion in new funding for Western Australia.
Ms S.E. Winton: How much?
Ms R. SAFFIOTI: Member for
Wanneroo, $1.3 billion. That not only will allow us to reduce congestion,
support Metronet and improve regional road safety, but also means that we will
have a pipeline of infrastructure not for the next year or two years, but for
the next five to six years. That means more jobs and training opportunities for
Western Australians. That is why we continue to seek federal funding to create
that pipeline of work.
A number of excellent new
initiatives were announced today. I was there with the member for Forrestfield
and, of course, the Premier, along with the federal Attorney-General, Michaelia
Cash; Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Hon Ben Morton; Ken
Wyatt; and Steve Irons. There will be a number of new initiatives. There is
another $350 million to support Metronet, particularly with the lifting of the
rail through Cannington, for two new stations and for the removal of level
crossings. The member for Armadale will be happy with the new funding that will
be spent throughout Armadale and, of course, regional WA. There is $200 million
to upgrade Great Eastern Highway and $160 million to support our farming
communities through WA agriculture supply chain improvements. These are real
initiatives that support our economy and also our population. There will be
funding for the new Perth Airport north precinct that will allow for further
industrial development around the airport. There will be money for the Toodyay
Road upgrades, which, again, is a major priority that we set out to the
commonwealth. Of course, member for Dawesville—I will try to find you—there
will be $55 million to deliver the estuary bridge. That was an election
commitment that we made about eight weeks ago. We have secured the funding for
that and will be delivering that project, member for Dawesville.
Mr R.S. Love: Great work by
the commonwealth government!
Ms R. SAFFIOTI: The member
for Moore is the third shadow Minister for Transport we have had. I suspect he is using the same methodology—knock
everything, criticise everything—that was used by previous shadow
transport ministers. I suspect this new shadow Minister for Transport
will do the same; he will knock and criticise everything that we are doing.
We should all be proud that the government is achieving
outcomes for Western Australians. We are creating jobs, supporting Metronet,
improving regional road safety and reducing congestion throughout our suburbs.