Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Water) Share this | Hansard source

Isn’t it interesting that the opposition are pressing on this issue when they, when in government, did not intend to fund the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality beyond the end of June? They have no answer to that. They have no answer to the fact that, under their watch, that plan was not to be refunded beyond the end of June. As I have said, Minister Garrett and Minister Burke announced on 21 June a public call for open grants, totalling $25 million. That was announced on Saturday, 21 June. As I have indicated, non-government organisations will be able to bid for funding through this process. As I said, the assessment of these projects will obviously reflect the six national priorities under Caring for our Country, which Ministers Garrett and Burke have announced: a national reserve system, biodiversity and natural icons, coastal environments and critical aquatic habitats, sustainable farm practices, natural resource management in remote and Northern Australia and community skills. (Time expired)