George Christensen (Dawson, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development. Will the Deputy PM inform the House how the Morrison-McCormack government is meeting the challenge of the pandemic recession through providing critical support to regional Australia? Is he aware of any alternative approaches and policies?

Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the free-ranging member for Dawson. If the member for Hunter wants to come across to this side, it's the Nationals he should come to, because we've got plenty of free-rangers in our party! But I welcome the member for Chifley to the shadow frontbench. I have messaged him and I congratulate him. I'm not sure they grow too much barley in Blacktown or wheat in Woodcroft, or produce many sheep in Shanes Park or do much mining in Marsden Park—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Deputy Prime Minister, you are 30 seconds in. This is a long introduction.

Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I just wanted to make the point that the member for Hunter is welcome anytime.

I thank the member for Dawson for his question. He represents an agriculturally and resource rich area—but it is very diverse up there in North Queensland and we see the abundant opportunities in this region just like we see them right across the nation. That's why we are backing local government areas, 537 of them—in Chifley, in Hunter, in Dawson—with the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program. Indeed, to date we have approved $430 million for 2,300 projects under the now $1.5 billion Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program. Burdekin, Mackay, Townsville and Whitsunday are all great regional councils in the member for Dawson's electorate. Burdekin Shire Council is utilising $240,000 of this funding to improve the condition of Rita Island Road—resealing and rehabilitating the surface, a series of works which will support 10 full-time jobs. It might not mean much to some of our metropolitan friends, but, let me tell you, that is a good delivery for a council such as that. We are seeing it right across the nation. In urban areas, in small rural, remote and regional areas—

Ms Burney interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Barton.

Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

and even in the member for Barton's electorate—we are making sure local councils get the funding they need. Our recovery will not be Canberra led. It will certainly not be Brisbane led. It will be led through local engagement, local stakeholders, local people and local excavators on local sites. That's what we are doing through local government areas.

Ms Collins interjecting—

Yes, you're right, Member for Franklin: through local governments. We are also, as part of our budget plan, a blueprint for the future, supporting essential social supports with increased mental health services—that's pretty important in regional areas and in all electorates—and also through the JobKeeper plan. Damien Connors, owner-operator of The Dispensary, a restaurant in downtown Mackay, went from 70 staff to 20 staff overnight. But he has put half of those staff back on, through JobKeeper. That's local delivery. That's a good local small business we are supporting.