Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Furner for his question. Investment in nation-building infrastructure is the centrepiece of the budget and represents the most significant infrastructure package in Australia’s history. The government is supporting jobs today by building the infrastructure we need for tomorrow.

Efficient infrastructure is essential to promoting Australia’s future productivity and prosperity. The government is investing $22 billion to improve the quality, adequacy and efficiency of transport, communications, energy, education and health infrastructure all across Australia. These are the building blocks of the future economy. Investment in these critical economic infrastructure projects will provide a sustained boost to the economy now, building on economic stimulus measures already taken. In the longer term it will enhance the productive capacity of the economy, leading to better living standards.

The government investment in nation-building infrastructure will support an average of around 15,000 jobs each year, peaking at around 18,000 in 2011-12. In addition, the National Broadband Network will directly support up to 25,000 jobs every year, on average, over the life of the project, peaking at 37,000 jobs. The government’s commitment to realising world-class infrastructure will drive a more diverse, competitive and sustainable economy. (Time expired)