Andrew Broad (Mallee, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have always said that the Australian parliament is the people's house. It does not belong to the politicians. We are mere stewards of the areas we represent. This week we have had five council mayors and CEOs—from Northern Grampians Shire Council, Horsham Rural City Council, the Yarriambiack Shire Council, Hindmarsh Shire Council and West Wimmera Shire Council—here advocating for their community. They have had meetings to discuss the Stawell dark matter particles lab, the Grampians Peaks Trail and the Longerenong Agricultural College. They have had meetings to discuss the Wimmera Highway upgrade and the need for a rail freight upgrade. They have had meetings expressing just how much they contribute to the Australian economy. Out of just the Wimmera alone, there is $1.6 billion worth of export opportunities. Some of those could be enhanced with protein extraction plants and with greater data in agriculture.

I have often described my office as an embassy of the Wimmera Mallee. One of the things that is great about our community is that they are going to forge their future because they believe in their future. Our community is going to make it happen, and to see the very strong and passionate advocacy on so many projects by people from the Wimmera this week in the federal parliament has been very good. I thank the 10 ministerial officers who have opened their doors to hear the stories and to hear what can be done. It starts with us. All the things that we are going to develop in our regions start with us, and I am pleased to be able to— (Time expired)