Michelle Landry (Capricornia, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That this House:

(1) notes that the Government is committed to securing the economic future of regional Australia;

(2) commends the $500 million National Water Infrastructure Development Fund which implements the Government's commitment to start the detailed planning necessary to build or augment existing water infrastructure, including dams, pipelines or managed aquifer recharge, and welcomes the dedicated northern component of $170 million;

(3) notes that the $481.6 million Building Better Regions Fund supports the Government's commitment to create jobs, drive economic growth and build stronger regional communities into the future;

(4) praises the $600 million Northern Australia Roads Programme which enables upgrades to high priority roads in northern Australia essential to the movement of people and freight to support the north's economic development;

(5) welcomes the additional $272.2 million Regional Growth Fund that provides grants of $10 million or more for major transformational projects which support long term economic growth and create jobs in regions undergoing structural adjustment; and

(6) commends the Government for delivering infrastructure programs that are making a real difference to regional Australia's ability to diversify its economies.

There is one party that does more than provide lip service to regional Australia. There is one party that, regardless of the rhetoric, refutes and rebuttals, remains committed to regional Australia. Despite the childish attempts by the opposition to distract our attention over issues of little importance to the people of regional Australia, we remain on track to deliver our promises. The National Party went to the 2016 election promising to prioritise stronger and more secure regional economies, because we know that a secure and sustainable regional Australia creates a strong and secure nation. We approach our commitments with common sense and we deliver on our commitments with common direction. I'd like to touch on some of these commitments that speak to the very core of what the National Party is doing for regional Australia and how this benefits my electorate of Capricornia.

Australia is a big and fairly dry land yet has managed to create an agriculture export market that has fortified our balance of trade. It is the fastest growing industry and one that will strengthen our economy for generations to come. But we know agriculture can't happen without one essential ingredient: water. The $500 million National Water Infrastructure Development Fund, the most vigorous water infrastructure program in decades, will deliver once-in-a-generation opportunities for our regions. In just a few weeks, the Palaszczuk government will announce whether it will support the game-changing Rookwood Weir. We know that the business case stacks up and we know that it will deliver over 2,100 jobs. With $130 million already on the table, thanks to the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund, it would defy logic that this project not proceed. I remain confident that the right decision will be made, but if it isn't then I'm sure my electorate will make the decision for the Palaszczuk government in the coming state election. But the regions cannot survive on agriculture alone. We need the value-adding industries that go with it, and we need diversity to shield the regional economy from the cyclical nature of mining, agriculture and tourism.

Building resilient communities and economies requires people. Australian people are notorious for being lured to the cities in pursuit of better paying jobs, advancing careers and better services. It's a chicken-and-egg scenario, and one the National Party is addressing by investing in communities to make them more appealing places to live. Already we have seen the $481.6 million Building Better Regions Fund support projects like the Yeppoon foreshore, the Rockhampton riverbank redevelopment and upgrades to the airport. Even as standalone projects, they are changing the landscape of city centres, but, more importantly, they are also inspiring a community to build a stronger future for themselves. As the additional $272.2 million Regional Growth Fund rolls out later this year, regions will be able to build on this landscape, think big and create a dynamic future. It is through this fund that projects like the Rockhampton CBD master plan will come to fruition.

By creating the right environment and focusing on the right industries, regions like Capricornia will have a fighting chance to build strong and diverse economies. But this can't be achieved without the right building blocks. The $600 million Northern Australia Roads Program has prioritised roads that will support economic development needs. Investment in infrastructure may not be sexy, but it's what makes the economy flow. We can't grow and export beef if we can't get the cattle to the airport or port. We can't get tourists to the Rockhampton riverbank or the Yeppoon foreshore if the roads are slow or flights are unavailable.

Investing in infrastructure allows the movements of people, goods and services, and underpins its competitive ability to do so. Our commitment will deliver a strong and resilient future for regional Australia. Our programs and policies are more than just pre-election lip service. They are carefully considered to create the building blocks for a regional Australia that has a diverse and secure economy, improves liveability so regions can attract the right people, and builds the right infrastructure to bind the two together.

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