Senator WATT (Queensland—Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Minister for Emergency Management) (14:26): Thank you, Senator Sheldon. I know Senator Sheldon, along with all senators on this side of the chamber, understands the importance of infrastructure to local communities as well as knowing how important it is that Australians are able to trust the promises of their government. As we all know, the previous government left the infrastructure investment pipeline in a complete mess, and the review that Minister King released today makes that clear. Senator McKenzie: What about Qatar Airways? Senator WATT: I'm not surprised that, of all people, Senator McKenzie might have to say something about this—of course, the master of the spreadsheet sitting over there with her green highlighter out, colouring up the National Party projects and every now and then a Liberal Party project, but mostly National Party projects. I know today is an embarrassing day for Senator McKenzie and all members of the National Party in— The PRESIDENT: Minister Watt, please resume your seat. Senator Birmingham? Senator Colbeck interjecting— Senator Birmingham: On a point of order—and, indeed, I think Senator Colbeck just nailed it—he's not even being relevant to the question he was asked as a dixer. But of course he is also seeking to impugn a senator and imply motives. Senator Watt should withdraw. The PRESIDENT: Senator Watt. Senator WATT: They are a bit toey about allocated spreadsheets. As we all know, the previous government left the infrastructure investment pipeline— The PRESIDENT: Senator Watt, sorry, I just assumed I wouldn't have to repeat Senator Birmingham's request for you to withdraw. My apologies. I should have. Senator Wong? Senator Wong: I apologise to the chamber. I was not listening with all of my full attention, but I would be grateful if you could be clear, at least across the table, with what words you are asking him to withdraw. The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong, it is my habit to specifically request for personal reflections never to be repeated, and I really don't want to diverge from that. Senator Watt usually withdraws. I think it was close, but, in the interests of a calm chamber, I would ask that the comments be withdrawn. Senator Wong: There was a reference to some of the evidence which was presented to the Senate about what occurred in relation to that program, including the colour-coded spreadsheets. That's on the public record. The PRESIDENT: No. There was a reference to Senator McKenzie. In the interests of the calmness of the chamber, I would ask Senator Watt to withdraw. Senator WATT: I withdraw. The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Watt. Senator WATT: The review that Minister King released today found a pipeline of infrastructure inherited from the coalition that was jam-packed with backed-up projects that were announced without the support of states or territories, poorly scoped, underfunded at the outset or designed simply to win votes. The infrastructure program was spiralling out of control under the coalition, having blown out from 150 to almost 800 projects. It has become clear that the previous government was addicted to announcements and colour-coded spreadsheets and neglected the hard work of building real infrastructure. While they may have had— The PRESIDENT: Minister Watt, please resume your seat. Senator Rennick? Senator Rennick: Point of order, Chair: I'm sick and tired of the reference to colour-coded spreadsheets. The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Rennick. That is not— Senator Rennick: As an accountant— The PRESIDENT: Senator Rennick, resume your seat. Senator Rennick interjecting— Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Rennick! Order across the chamber! Senator Rennick, I am rather surprised because you do normally sit when asked to, and I remind you that, when I require you to sit, you sit. Minister Watt, please continue. Senator WATT: As Senator Wong has pointed out, it was a pretty uncomfortable episode for all Australians to have a government led by colour coded spreadsheets, and even now they still boast about it. The coalition's legacy and the path they set for this nation was $33 billion in cost blowouts and an inability to add any new infrastructure projects to the pipeline until the 2033. This is a breathtaking indictment on the Liberals' and Nationals' economic management and their failure to genuinely deliver for our communities. That's the coalition's legacy; under them, we would have had no new infrastructure projects until 2033. The PRESIDENT: Senator Sheldon, first supplementary?