Luke Gosling (Solomon, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

) ( ): Like some of my colleagues, I rise to speak of the inadequacy of the current government and, particularly, the current Prime Minister's work when it comes to growing our nation. Whether it be renewables or developing the North, there is a lot left to be desired. Not one single cent has been spent on the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility. It is a $5 billion concessional loans scheme, and not one cent has been spent on developing our vast North. When you have a look at the NAIF—which, of course, was placed in Queensland—the majority of the members of the board of the North Australia Infrastructure Facility are Queenslanders. I would not want to be a Western Australian with an election coming up thinking you might have another Liberal government not looking after your state. WA has a couple of members on that NAIF board, but the Northern Territory only has one. As a result, nothing is happening—certainly nothing in the Northern Territory. I call on the federal government to start developing the North, but not just Queensland. Start investing in the great Northern Territory and the great state of Western Australia.

I had a chat with the Treasurer about coming up to the Northern Territory, but he has not been there for almost two years. In fact, the NT News today said, 'See you in the NT?' Hey, ScoMo, you have been Treasurer for 17 months now and you have not visited us. When are you going to come and visit us? (Time expired)