Sarah Henderson (Corangamite, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am very proud to be part of the government which is focused on delivering a positive economic plan to grow jobs and a strong economy. In Corangamite, we are delivering in spades. I want to talk a bit about our election commitments for the people of Corangamite. One is a $20 million jobs and investment package for our region, which will fund competitive business innovation grants to grow jobs, new or upgraded infrastructure, and training to address skills shortages. Very shortly, we will be announcing a task force which will oversee the planning of this fund.

Unlike Labor, which turned its back on Avalon airport when it refused to give consent to an international airline back in 2008, we have designated Avalon airport as a regional airport, opening the door to new international flights, which is a very exciting opportunity for everyone involved at Avalon. Really, what we are hoping is that this will be a precinct which will grow to some 10,000 jobs, and we celebrate the $40 million investment made by Cotton On and Avalon, a huge distribution centre for a wonderful company.

We promised: more than $55 million for road upgrades, including another $20 million for the Princes Highway; $5 million for a new Anam Cara palliative care community hospice; and $1 million planning money for a duplicated rail track between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds—all part of our very strong commitment to regional communities and to Corangamite.