Lisa Chesters (Bendigo, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories. Over the last 12 months, how has the Albanese Labor government abandoned previous poor practices in order to deliver for regional Australia and create a strong foundation for the future?

Kristy McBain (Eden-Monaro, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for her question, a strong advocate not only for her own regional community but for regional communities across the country.

On this side of the chamber, postcodes don't matter. We know we've got to deliver for all of Australia and that's what we are doing.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Kristy McBain (Eden-Monaro, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I hear the sea of suits—really lovely to hear you today! But when you were in government, instead of playing a game of charades about what you thought government looked like—it's more than just a press release, a photo, a head nod in the back of the press conference—you actually have to do the delivery part. That's what you forgot over the last 10 years.

We have done more in the last 12 months than those did in 10 years, because the regions are much more than just a grants program, because we want regional Australia to seize the huge opportunities that come with a shift to cleaner and cheaper renewable energy, a shift that those opposite deliberately ignored for a decade. But, first, we've got to clean up the mess that was left by those opposite.

Every time we've looked at the big regional programs dreamt up by those opposite, we've found real problems for our communities: an inland rail project that blew out by approximately $31 billion, an infrastructure pipeline where the projects blew out from 150 to 800—

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

Order! The member for Cowper will cease interjecting.

Kristy McBain (Eden-Monaro, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

without any additional funding, and projects that were promised with no funding partners and without any business cases. It's like an episode of Utopia. So many promises over those 10 years and nothing delivered. The only difference is, Utopia's funny; they are not.

In 12 months we have delivered more and we are laying the foundations for a better future for our communities across the country. In our very first budget, we delivered and committed a billion dollars to new regional programs. Unlike those opposite, we've spent time to make sure that the programs we're delivering will be delivered in a fair, transparent and accountable way. It will be a fair process done, not one with colour coded spreadsheets, because we know regional Australians deserve much more than an ad hoc grants round. They want real programs to deliver real outcomes.

We've already provided increased connectivity by properly funding the NBN and fixing mobile phone black spots, housing assistance through the regional first home buyers scheme, skills assistance through fee-free TAFE places and more university places, funds for increased disaster resilience and mitigation—and I note those laughing opposite about black-spot funds in natural disaster prone electorates. Shame on you! In our most recent budget, we continue to help regional Australians—

Opposition members interjecting—

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

Order! There is far too much noise. Members on my left.

Kristy McBain (Eden-Monaro, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by tripling the bulk-billing incentive, establishing a net zero authority and committing a billion dollars to the national biosecurity system. We have done more in 12 months to deliver than those did in 10 years, and you should be ashamed of yourself for—

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

The member for McEwen is warned.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.

Opposition members interjecting —

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

Order! Members on my left will cease interjecting immediately. If anyone else interjects while the Prime Minister is speaking, they will be removed immediately.