Bob Katter (Kennedy, Katter's Australian Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Resources and Minister for Northern Australia. Minister, would you agree that 92 per cent of Australia, which has only 1.2 million people, is an area bleeding? Three-quarters of Australia's water is in North Queensland's inland, not on its coast. HIPCo's Hughenden dam templates 13 schemes, each worth $300 million a year. Why not HIPCo dam now, Minister?

Madeleine King (Brand, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Northern Australia) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Kennedy for his question. I do note the question goes to water infrastructure, which is—

I know what you're getting at, Member for Kennedy. It also has intersections with the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government and the Minister for the Environment and Water. But also, of course, as you pointed out, this has a lot to do with northern development in northern Australia, so I'm more than happy to answer that question as best I can.

As for the statistics you mentioned in the question, I am not sure about that, but I'm really happy to take that away and look at it and get back to your office. You mentioned HIPCo and the Hughenden dam, and I note your longstanding concerns around water security right across Queensland, especially in your seat of Kennedy. It is appropriate that there is water security for that region. I entirely agree with the member in that regard. You have had a long interest in the Hughenden irrigation scheme, and so have many members in this place. As you'd be aware, funding for that scheme does remain in the budget. However, there are a number of steps to be taken. Sufficient water allocation must be obtained from the Queensland government, and I understand this is a process that government is undertaking right now and with vigour. Also, Infrastructure Australia—which, of course, is the minister for infrastructure's responsibility—will be assessing the business case in relation to the Hughenden dam.

We are, as always, as a government happy to engage with any member of this parliament on any of their requests for water infrastructure and other infrastructure, particularly those in the northern Australia seats, on any project they think has value and can add to the economic and social development of the north. Member for Kennedy, we have spoken many times on many of the projects that are of benefit to northern Australia, and I know all relevant ministers will continue to do the same. This government is more than happy to engage actively and look at projects that are brought forward, but they do need to be supported by a proper business case, and they really need to be engaged on with the state and territory governments involved, because governments need to work together to make projects like the Hughenden Irrigation Project, the HIPCo project, go ahead. I thank the member for Kennedy again for his question.

Bob Katter (Kennedy, Katter's Australian Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On a point of order, Speaker—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister has concluded her answer. Is it related to the question or something else?

Bob Katter (Kennedy, Katter's Australian Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I don't want it to be interpreted that I've bypassed the brilliant and gracious lady who is the minister for water. I just think it's more northern development—that's all.