Home›Questions on Notice›QoN 1164

❓ Opposition questions the Cook Government's ability to secure Commonwealth infrastructure funding, citing a significant reduction in WA's allocation. The Government defends its collaborative approach and highlights existing joint projects.

AnsweredQoN 1164Legislative Council

Asked

11 December 2025

Member

Hon Anthony Spagnolo

Portfolio

Premier; Minister for State Development; Trade and Investment; Economic Diversification

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to Western Australia's share of infrastructure funding. Evidence given in Senate Estimates last week where WA Senator and Shadow Assistant Minister for Infrastructure, Matt O’Sullivan, questioned the Federal Finance Minister about the 84 per cent collapse in Commonwealth infrastructure funding for Western Australia. The Minister confirmed that Western Australia must put forward a sufficient pipeline of infrastructure projects for them to be funded. I ask: (a) given that no other state is experiencing a reduction of this scale in the Federal Budget, why has the Cook Government failed to develop and advocate for an infrastructure pipeline capable of securing adequate funding from the Albanese Labor Government; (b) what specific projects, if any, did the Cook Government submit to the Commonwealth that were rejected and what reasons were provided for those rejections; (c) given the Minister’s admission in Canberra, will the State now revise its approach to developing and advocating for major infrastructure priorities; and (d) if no to (c), why not?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered

24 February 2026

Responded by

Leader of the House representing the Premier; Minister for State Development; Trade and Investment; Economic Diversification

Response time

5 days

(a-d) Our Government works constructively with the Australian Government to identify, plan, develop and deliver critical infrastructure across our State that benefit all Western Australians. Our partnership focuses on developing a sustainable pipeline of infrastructure projects for the long term, rather than critiquing specific funding allocations in individual budget processes.
The benefits of our collaborative approach are clear in the record investments our Government has delivered in jointly funded major infrastructure, in particular through our $10.8 billion METRONET program and our major road investments, such as Wilman Wadandi Highway, Stephenson Avenue Extension, Kwinana Freeway Upgrades, Tonkin Highway Extension, Regional Road Safety Program and Mandurah Estuary Bridge and Albany Ring Road.
We will continue to work with the Australian Government to progress key joint infrastructure programs, such as energy, health, housing, roads and Westport, with funding decisions to be reflected in future budget processes.

View on Parliament of WA