Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I'll make a brief remark and then hand over to the Minister for Water Resources, Drought, Rural Finance, Natural Disaster and Emergency Management. The Future Drought Fund was brought into this parliament before the election. It was the product of the National Drought Summit, which was intended to provide ongoing permanent support to build drought resilience in this country. I hope the opposition now, on the other side of the election, will change their position and support this initiative and provide this much-needed support and encouragement to people and families in rural and regional Australia, whether they are on farm or living in farming communities. This parliament should support that initiative and the many other initiatives we've brought to address the ongoing drought.

Mr Albanese interjecting—

The Leader of the Opposition interjects, but before the last election the Leader of the Opposition was part of the same shadow cabinet that voted against the Future Drought Fund. They said they would oppose it; they would not support it, and they sent an appalling message. They may wish to reconsider that matter, and I ask the Minister for Water Resources, Drought, Rural Finance, Natural Disaster and Emergency Management to add to my answer.

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