Mr MAREK —My question is addressed to the Prime Minister. Can the Prime Minister please inform the House on the progress of the Federation Fund which will go a long way to build major projects of significance across this country?

Mr HOWARD (Prime Minister) —As honourable members will be aware, in the 1997 budget the government announced the allocation of $1,000 million into a fund designed to mark the centenary of the federation of the Australian nation. The bulk of that money was to be committed towards major projects of lasting national significance and benefit. Many of these projects will generate large numbers of jobs in the construction phase and they will make a very valuable and ongoing contribution to Australia, to Australia's infrastructure and to the Australian economy.

Already the following Federation Fund projects have been announced: the National Museum of Australia, which includes the Australian Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies to be constructed in Canberra at a cost of $147 million; the Darwin to Alice Springs railway, which has attracted a commitment of $100 million—and I remind the House that that was promised by Bob Hawke in 1983 and for 13 years Labor did nothing about it. I know, they were going to do it in the 14th year—of course they were! I do them a disservice. Also out of the Federation Fund we are making a contribution to that magnificent building, the National Gallery of Victoria.

When I was in Western Australia on the Australia Day weekend, I had the opportunity of announcing, with the Premier of Western Australia, Mr Court, a contribution of $80 million to the Jervoise Bay infrastructure project which, I point out, unless my geogra phy deserts me, is in the electorate of the honourable member for Fremantle. Could I be wrong? Could she be a Labor member? Indeed, it is in the electorate of the honourable member for Fremantle. Dear, oh dear—$80 million.

Another project is the Corowa bridge construction, which will be an important and historic link between New South Wales and Victoria of $12 million. Also, my colleague the Minister for Sport and Tourism announced the other day the contribution towards the refurbishment of the historic St Andrew's Cathedral in Sydney of $5 million which will make a very significant contribution, along with an equal amount of Commonwealth subvention for refurbishment of St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney, in the restoration of those very fine buildings.

Having recalled what has already been announced, I would like to inform the House of two other important government decisions which carry implications for all honourable members without exception. In relation to $100 million of the Federation Fund—

Mr Kerr —On a point of order, Mr Speaker: standing orders specifically exclude question time being used for announcements of government policy. The Prime Minister is specifically saying that he is using this question time to announce government policy.

Mr SPEAKER —The honourable member for Denison will resume his seat. The Prime Minister is in order in answering the question.

Mr HOWARD —Out of the Federation Fund, there will be an amount of $70 million set aside for medium sized cultural and heritage projects, particularly—

Mr Fitzgibbon —Another rort!

Opposition members interjecting—

Mr HOWARD —They cannot help it. They have learnt nothing. If you really want to jump in and get on the sticky paper, they are the world's best at doing it. I repeat, $70 million will be set aside for medium sized cultural and heritage projects costing up to $5 million. In relation to the final $30 million, the government recognises that a proper observance of the centenary of Federation requires the development of events at the grassroots and appropriate recognition of the importance of federation involving local communities. Borrowing from the highly successful example of the Australia Remembers program which provided an equality of funds to each federal electorate irrespective of political representation throughout Australia, my government has decided to make available a sum of $200,000 to each federal electorate irrespective of its political representation in this parliament.

Opposition members interjecting—

Mr HOWARD —Come on; keep coming!

Mr SPEAKER —I ask honourable members to restrain themselves.

Mr HOWARD —That $200,000 will be made available and it will be the responsibility of whoever is the federal member to get together a local committee to put forward a proposition to the minister in charge. There will be criteria laid down and I will be writing to all members of the House. Everybody will be treated equally because the centenary of Federation does not belong to one or other side of politics. It belongs to all Australians and this is a practical demonstration of that commitment.