Transcript - media conference, Gold Coast

ANTHONY CHISHOLM [ASSISTANT MINISTER]: Thanks everyone for joining us today. It's great to be here with Meaghan Scanlon, the Minister and almost the local member as well. I’m so glad to be here representing the Federal Government today to check out the progress on this really important Coomera Connector project. We can see that so much progress is being made here and they've reached a number of milestones when it comes to this bridge’s construction, and the 1,000 hours of work that’s been done. And we look forward to this section of the road being open late next year. We know that there's enormous growth in this part of the world, and that's why we need to be supporting projects like this. This is a $3 billion project - $1.5 billion from the state government and $1.5 billion from the federal government – and this shows the power of state and federal governments working together to get important and essential infrastructure like this done. So, it's a real pleasure to be working constructively with the state government. It's great that Meaghan is able to represent them today and for us to check out progress on this important project. I thank the workers for the role that they're playing, this project is providing significant jobs for people in this region and around south east Queensland as well. We need to ensure that we continue to invest in these important infrastructure projects, particularly when we know there is so much population growth going on in this part of the world. So, it’s a real pleasure for me to be here today to see the project firsthand, and I'll hand over to Meaghan from the state government to say a few words as well. Thank you.

MEAGHAN SCANLON [QLD PUBLIC WORKS MINISTER]: Thank you Anthony. Well, look, anyone who travels on the M1 knows how frustrating congestion can be, and that's why we're committed to building the second M1. Really pleased to say over a million hours have been done on the package- this package as part of the second M1. Crews are on the ground working really hard to get this project up off the ground as quickly as possible. This section will start to progressively open as early as the end of next year, so Gold Coasters can see some relief in sight. But there's been a lot of work taking place on this particular project, particularly at the northern end, there's been essentially a kilometre-wide bridge that spans over the Coomera River, Hope Island Road, as well as Saltwater Creek. This is a really, really significant project and it's really fantastic to see so much progress that's taking shape, to make sure that we can get tradies to work faster and families home sooner. This, of course, is a significant investment by both the Miles Labor Government and Albanese Government. We know how much the Gold Coast is growing, and it's really important that we're investing in the infrastructure that are growing city needs – whether it's the second M1, train stations, the light rail, we are delivering to make sure that the Gold Coast keeps moving. I'm also here today to answer your questions about someone who continues to dodge questions about his dodgy business deals - is David Crisafulli. After sacking thousands of workers as a cabinet minister in the Newman government, David Crisafulli went on to work for a company to be the sole director of a company that was very possibly trading while insolvent. He continues to dodge questions, and Queenslanders have a right to know why did he make a payment of $200,000 following comments he made in the parliament, effectively saying there was nothing to see here? Every day that he doesn't take questions, every day Queenslanders deserve to know more, and we're calling on him to answer some very simple questions today that continues to dodge. Any questions for me or any questions for Anthony?

JOURNALIST: Yeah. Well, Minister Scanlon, we're here obviously at the Stage One North Coomera Connector, and we all together here today drove through heavy traffic outside Helensvale State High School and Holmesdale Road, which is going to be connected to this road when it opens, you said it could be as early as next year, is going to disgorge an awful lot of traffic onto that road. When is Helensvale Road going to get upgraded?

SCANLON: Look, I'll have to get some more details from the Transport Minister. I know that we've been working closely with the Gold Coast City Council on some of those connecting roads. Obviously, the state is significantly investing. This is a massive road project. I think it's the biggest road project in the state. So, I don't think anyone can underestimate or underappreciate the significant investment from the government in this particular project. But as for the particular local road connections, I'll have to come back to the detail.

JOURNALIST: The state is still in negotiations with Gold Coast Council, isn't it getting a bit sort of five minutes to midnight for those negotiations to be concluded?

SCANLON: I'd have to get you an update. I haven't been in those direct conversations, but I'll get you an update from the Transport Minister.

JOURNALIST: Well, if we’re still doing this [indistinct], I can ask another Gold Coast topic. Miles Government has been very focused the last couple of months on cost of living, electricity rebates, rego relief, 50c fares, yet the Gold Coast City Council seems to be heading in a different direction. They've increased rates for some unit owners by up to 50 per cent. Do you find that disappointing in that context?

SCANLON: Well, look, I'll let council defend those actions. Our government thinks that at a time where people are really struggling with cost of living, we should do everything we can to relieve that pressure on household budgets, and that's exactly why we've delivered that $1,300 energy rebate with the Albanese Government. It's while we're providing 50c fares as well as that reduction on rego. It's also why we've taken the decision to freeze all fees and charges. We know it's really tough for households and that's why we're taking action. And of course, as a local MP, I'd love to see all levels of government be cognisant of the impact that that's having on households and the decisions that they're making.

JOURNALIST: Minister, if I may, I might ask you another transport related question.

SCANLON: Yeah sure.

JOURNALIST: While we were setting up here, we've seen the train go by at high speed. At the weekend we reported that Gold Coast Airport is struggling to attract flights. One of the key problems there is the transport in and out of the airport. How important do you think it is that the light rail stage four, or possibly even a heavy rail to the airport, is advanced as soon as possible?

SCANLON: Well, I've long been an advocate for a connection to the Gold Coast Airport. The government's view has been very clear. We've been doing the business case on the last stage of the light rail to connect to the airport, and we've also preserved the corridor for heavy rail to connect to the airport. The only people that Gold Coasters should question are the LNP. You know, they commit to funding Sunshine Coast heavy rail. But when it comes to the Gold Coast, the LNP have said they're going to do a review. You know, when they were last in government, there was no additional funds allocated to any infrastructure project here on the Gold Coast. All they committed to was funding to One William Street, which was just an office building for themselves. But when you look at the history of Labor governments on the Gold Coast, we've delivered the light rail, we've delivered M1 upgrades, we're delivering the second M1, new train stations, and we're doing stage three of the light rail right now. Any other questions for us? Thanks everyone.