Andrew Wilkie (Denison, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister, the $16 million promised to Cadbury was because of the desperate need for economic stimulus in Glenorchy. Now that Cadbury has sacked 80 staff, what is the government doing to help them? Will you commit to spend the $16 million in Glenorchy where the stimulus is needed more than ever? Do you agree, Prime Minister, that to spend the money elsewhere would make it a political slush fund?

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do thank the member for Denison for his question. Like the member for Denison, I am very disappointed that the Cadbury investment did not go ahead. It was quite a large investment by Cadbury that the government was going to assist to the tune of $16 million, which was an investment in the tourism infrastructure side of that particular investment. So, like the member for Denison, I am disappointed that Cadbury decided not to go ahead. The member for Bass, the member for Braddon and the member for Lyons are all equally disappointed that this particular investment did not go ahead. I am pleased to say that a lot of investment in Tasmania is going ahead. This government, for instance, is investing an additional $200 million in the Freight Equalisation Scheme to boost the exports of Tasmania, not just to the mainland but beyond on the mainland, to the wider world. This government is investing $60 million in new irrigation infrastructure in northern Tasmania, particularly water storages, because this government is determined to end the dam phobia which has afflicted our country everywhere, including in Tasmania.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We've got dams in Tasmania—

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I hear some bellowing opposite about Midlands. We are building the Midland Highway—$400 million in that too. Yes, it is a pity that Cadbury are not going ahead with that particular investment, but, as the members for Braddon, Lyons and Bass keep telling me, a lot of good things are happening in Tasmania right now. Tasmania is not just a great place to live and a great place to visit; it is becoming a great place to work, a great place to employ and a great place to invest. It is high time that Australia had—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister will resume his seat. The member for Denison on a point of order. The Prime Minister has concluded his answer.