Craig Laundy (Reid, Liberal Party, Minister for Small and Family Business, the Workplace and Deregulation) Share this | Hansard source

In this process there is a lot of ground to cover. I've listened to a lot of people ask a lot of questions, so I'll attempt as best I can to cover a broad range here. The member for Blaxland asked if money for the Onslow Marine Support Base project would 'get out the door', I think his term was, by the end of the financial year. He claimed there had been no money out the door yet on that. I'm guessing that means 'spent'. The answer is: on 15 June, the first loan drawdown for $3.4 million was released as part of that $16.8 million.

In terms of NAIF, broadly, and questions relating to it, as of May 2018 NAIF had received 216 inquiries, of which 97 are currently active. There are 18 projects in the due diligence stage, encompassing a broad range of sectors, and they are spread across three different jurisdictions. The member for Herbert claimed that we have deserted 'the workers', I think her term was, of Herbert. Instead of turning up at Clive Palmer's press conferences and yelling abuse at him, we've taken a somewhat different approach. It's not big on theatrics but it's big on results. We have paid out $66.78 million to the 759 employees affected by the closure of Queensland Nickel under the Fair Entitlements Guarantee Act. We are pursuing those monies in court. I do note that a couple of weeks ago the Queensland Supreme Court made a freezing order in the amount of approximately $205 million against the assets of Mr Palmer. We welcome that announcement, and we'll let the case take its journey through the courts.

The member for Herbert claimed that infrastructure is not being supported in Townsville. Here's a summary of some expenditure—Bruce Highway, Townsville, northern access intersections upgrade, $57,600,000; the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program for Townsville City Council, which is an upgrade of three intersections and lanes on Ingham Road, some $5.9 million; under the Building Better Regions Fund, the Bwgcolman Retail and Business Precinct stage 2, $9.994 million; under the Bridges Renewal Program, Townsville City Council, Heatleys Parade bridge upgrade, 248 grand; the community development grant, between 2013 and 2016 election commitments, Illich sports park, $5 million; and the construction of a driver education and motor sport precinct, $5 million. If the member for Townsville wants to be a help, I would suggest she talks to her mates at the CFMEU in town and get them to cease blowing out the Townsville city stadium project, which we're now hearing could move from $250 million to $300 million—a some 30 per cent increase.

The answer to the member for Leichhardt's question about water infrastructure is that the government has invested $2.6 billion in water infrastructure. It comes in two main ways: $580 million through the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund and $2 billion through the National Water Infrastructure Loan Facility Fund through northern Australia.

I note that the member for Solomon is here. He raised a question about a city deal—or lambasted the minister for not being here and then asked a question that wasn't in the minister's portfolio. I'm pleased to announce that in the most recent division I spoke to the minister responsible, Minister Fletcher. He has met with your Lord Mayor there, as late as last night. It is in what he hopes to be the later stages of due diligence. But I note the member for Herbert completely excluded from her—I do note the member for Solomon pursuing the city deal. He could maybe ask the member for Herbert what it's like to land one, because there's been one landed by Townsville through no hard work of hers.

Rick Wilson, the member for O'Connor, asked about the $261 million for the world-class satellite and positioning. The better GPS for regional Australia accounts for $160.9 million of that. He asked about the world class satellite imagery. There's going to be $36.9 million for Digital Earth Australia to provide satellite imaging, which is, as he said, a crucial game-breaker for regional and rural Australia.

Proposed expenditure agreed to.

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