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

My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development. Will the Deputy Prime Minister update the House on the government's plans for northern Australia? How will the government's plan unlock jobs and opportunity in the North?

Warren Truss (Wide Bay, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable member for Capricornia for her question. Situated as she is, with Rockhampton in her electorate, the 'gateway to the North,' and certainly the beef capital of Australia, and all sorts of honours of that kind, she is keenly interested in the development of the North. Northern Australia offers enormous potential for our country. We have been saying that for decades. Finally, there is a government that is going to do something about it.

The northern Australia white paper, which will be released over the next few weeks, is a blueprint for action. It is a blueprint to deliver the kind of potential that the North of Australia has. The North is located in the tropical zone, as is two-thirds of the world's population. So the North is uniquely situated to be a place of global leadership in tropical medicine, tropical research, education and agriculture. We need to take advantage of those opportunities. The budget, for instance, included a $5 billion infrastructure investment facility to help bring to fruition some of those vital projects that will be essential for the North—infrastructure like roads, railway lines, pipelines and power stations—to build on this potential.

In addition, we have already announced $100 million for beef roads to ensure that that industry is able to operate for a bigger part of the year so that when the tropical wet seasons, in particular, come through there will be the opportunity to still get to markets. We are committed to additional funding for the black spots and the local roads. That is the kind of infrastructure that is necessary.

Graham Perrett (Moreton, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What about the Bruce Highway?

Warren Truss (Wide Bay, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, the Bruce Highway as well, as the honourable member interjected. The biggest program on the Bruce Highway—$8.5 billion. It is way beyond anything Labor had ever suggested.

Mr Snowdon interjecting—

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

The member for Lingiari will desist or leave. The choice is his.

Warren Truss (Wide Bay, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

And, of course, there are significant projects in the member's electorate—the Yeppen Floodplain, which Labor talked about to rebuild—

Mr Snowdon interjecting—

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

The member for Lingiari will leave under 94(a).

The member for Lingiari then left the chamber.

Warren Truss (Wide Bay, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

and also a range of other substantial developments of that nature. It is way beyond what Labor would ever dream of. We believe in the North, we understand its potential, we are determined to deliver on the opportunities that will be provided for Western Australia—the member from the Northern Territory will not get the chance to hear about them now. There will also be some great things for the Territory and, of course, the state of Queensland. Northern Australia is an area of great potential. We intend to ensure that that potential is achieved.

Bob Katter (Kennedy, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker—

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

The member for Kennedy will resume his seat. No. 6 was the crossbenchers' opportunity, but I will give you question No. 8.