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

Last Friday and Saturday I had the pleasure of attending the Mildura horticultural field days. I saw there a level of confidence that I have not seen for a long time. The federal government has invested in water infrastructure and we now have three free trade agreements, with Korea, China and Japan. We have also the instant tax write offs, which are really reaping dividends. If you are buying something for $20,000 or less, you can deduct that from your taxable income instantly—it really well. But the beauty about it is that not only does it help the 17,000 small businesses that function in Mallee but it really helps the local community, because the things you buy are pipes, shed, tanks, utes, computer equipment—the sorts of things that are sold in small businesses across the country. I think that those tax deductibility things that you put in the budget really—

Mr Broadbent interjecting—

Yes, you could buy a ute for $20,000. It's amazing what you can get. I would not say it is a good one, but you could buy one. The things you can get are really good value.

Also this week we had Darren Chester, the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, in the patch. He announced $20 million for the Calder Highway and $20 million for the Western Highway. Having overtaking lanes on a road that is undulating means that you can pause until you have a safe time to overtake, instead of trying to overtake on a dangerous stretch of road.

So there are some good things happening in the Wimmera-Mallee. Come and have a look. The field days were a great day out.