Debate resumed from 14 February, on motion by Senator Nash:

That the Senate—

(a)

notes:

(i)

the challenges facing Australia’s rural and regional communities, and

(ii)

that the Government is showing its contempt of rural and regional Australia, including through cuts to rural and regional funding programs; and

(b)

calls on the Labor Government to continue the strong commitment of the former Coalition Government to rural and regional Australia.