Lucy Wicks (Robertson, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for the Environment. Will the minister update the House on the progress of the Green Army program? What outcomes is this program delivering for the environment and for the young people involved in my electorate of Robertson and, indeed, across the nation?

Greg Hunt (Flinders, Liberal Party, Minister for the Environment) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I particularly want to thank the member for Robertson, who is a tremendous Green Army ambassador.

I am delighted to inform the House and to say to the member for Robertson—and, in particular, to the electors of Robertson—that today we have announced three Green Army projects in her electorate of Robertson. These include the national parks reserve restoration and conservation program, protection of Putty Beach Reserve and the Five Lands Walk and the restoration project at Winney Bay.

This is about giving young people in her electorate the opportunity to work and to do something positive for the environment: removal of invasive species, restoration of riparian areas and restoration of foreshore. This is practical work in the environment and job training for the future.

In fact, this morning I was able to visit the member for Canberra's electorate. There is a Green Army project underway there right now at Red Hill, removing invasive species. Four new Green Army projects were announced today in the electorate of Canberra. One hundred and fifty-six Green Army projects were announced right across Australia. These Green Army projects are building on—

Ms Claydon interjecting—

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

The member the Newcastle will leave under 94(a)!

The member for Newcastle then left the chamber.

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

the more than 311 projects which have been commenced or completed this financial year. We said that we would deliver 250 projects this year. Instead, we are delivering 311 projects this year and we have announced 156 going forward.

But just in case anybody wonders whether it is being done on an even-handed basis, it is. Two hundred and thirty projects announced to date will be in either ALP seats or seats from independents, so this is a project for all Australians right across the country where you have local people engaged in local projects. We would say to the member for Maribyrnong, 'We would love you to come and visit one of the Green Army projects in your electorate'—I think there are eight now. In fact, I visited a project which is shared with the member for Maribyrnong and the member for Calwell. I did not see the member, but you are welcome to attend one of these projects. I do thank the opposition; they did provide bipartisan support for the Green Army, and it is running magnificently.

Mr Brendan O'Connor interjecting—

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

The member for Gorton is warned.

Greg Hunt (Flinders, Liberal Party, Minister for the Environment) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

When you think back to pink batts, green loans, cash for clunkers and the citizens assembly, you see now how real environmental programs can help young people do the right thing by the environment and the right thing by the economy. We are thrilled to have bipartisan support— (Time expired)

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

I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.