Senate debates
Tuesday, 16 June 2009
Questions without Notice
Building the Education Revolution Program
2:54 pm
Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source
I thank the minister for his answer. Given the previous government’s neglect of Australia’s rail infrastructure and major roads, which are vital not only to the safety of Australian motorists but also to our nation’s productivity, is the minister able to provide details of any infrastructure projects that are currently under way in these two important areas?
Comments
Grendel
Posted on 19 Jun 2009 7:18 pm
Trent - you statement is not entirely accurate. Road and rail infrastructures are sometimes state and sometimes federal responsibility - National highways for example are the responsibility of the Commonwealth Government as are national rail infrastructure, ports and airports.
Your analysis of the question type is accurate however. This question is known as a "Dorothy Dix" and is a question prepared by the Minister's staff for a backbencher to ask so that the minister - who already knows it is coming, can look good by answering fully.
Trent Murray
Posted on 18 Jun 2009 12:48 pm
Isn't infrastructure such as rail & roads the responsibility of the state governments? That being the case, if true, the ALP have been the ones neglecting this "vital" area in many cases, NSW for example.
Now, given my statement/question above is conditionally true, does anyone else find the primary aim of this supplementary question to be duck shoving, and secondly, blind big noting?