Infrastructure Projects
Page: 16142
Mr JOHN BROGDEN: My question without notice is to the Treasurer. How can the people of New South Wales trust the Treasurer to deliver even the most basic infrastructure when his budget papers reveal that 114 projects have been delayed and 128 projects have blown out, costing taxpayers a massive $515 million over budget last year?
Dr ANDREW REFSHAUGE: There is no doubt that we have a most ambitious infrastructure program laying ahead of us over the next four years that will cost $34 billion—that is $1 million dollars an hour every hour for the next four years—and we will deliver. This Government is delivering projects for the people. I think back to some of the Opposition's projects, like the Port Macquarie Base Hospital. What a great project that was! It delivered nothing to the people and we were left having to buy it back. The airport rail link was another infrastructure project that the Opposition said would cost nothing. Here we are $700 million later, and still counting. That is its record.
Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the honourable member for Willoughby to order.
Dr ANDREW REFSHAUGE: Some projects will be delayed, but that is totally outside our control. I just happen to have one here: Milton Public School. Does the House know what happened to Milton Public School. We had the money available for it, until it hit the council. And who was on the council? Good old Shelley! Shelley was on the council. What did Shelley say? She said, "Hold it up, hold it up, we want to change the plans, we want it planned differently, we want to have a different type of car park, we want you to move the bicycle hall forward and put in a new car park." How much did that cost us? It cost $530,000 more, because Shelley decided she did not like the plans.
Mr Ian Armstrong: Point of order: If the Minister is correct, why is—
Mr SPEAKER: Order! The honourable member for Lachlan will resume his seat. I call him to order.
Dr ANDREW REFSHAUGE: Our design expert down on the South Coast, Shelley Hancock, decided she did not like the design. She wanted it sent back again. Get a new design! Another $50,000!
Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the honourable member for South Coast to order.
Dr ANDREW REFSHAUGE: If we can keep The Nationals and councils out of our work we will get it delivered on time, and it will be delivered well. But keep out of the work, keep your nose out of the programs and we will deliver them on time.