In a notice of motion tabled on Tuesday, Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson called on Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Duncan Gay to outline "a precise timetable for the construction of the Albion Park Rail bypass, including the start and completion date for the project" in next month's state budget.

"You didn't commit to it," Kiama MP Gareth Ward interrupted.

The Speaker, South Coast MP Shelley Hancock, ordered Mr Ward to stop and resume his seat.

"This is not the time to have the argument that he usually has with the Member for Shellharbour," Mrs Hancock said.

Mr Ward then uttered the words "you are a joke" as Ms Watson continued her motion.

The Shellharbour MP noted the government's commitment to the project depended on the "sale of the electricity network" and also asked Mr Gay to explain how the bypass would be funded if privatisation couldn't be achieved.

NSW Premier Mike Baird announced on March 16 his government would spend $550 million to build the long-awaited Princes Highway bypass, with construction likely to begin in 2018.

Part of the project hinges on the long-term lease of the state's electricity "poles and wires".

The Baird government introduced legislation to unlock the $20 billion for new infrastructure in Parliament this week, prompting Mr Ward to issue a media release slamming Illawarra Labor MPs for opposing the bypass.

"Unfortunately, Labor has chosen to ignore the mandate handed to the Liberals and Nationals government and is standing in the way of this once-in-a-generation plan to transform our state."

andrew.pearson@fairfaxmedia.com.au

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