Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Minister for Indigenous Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Canavan for the question. Mr President, I know this is an issue in which Senator Canavan takes a great interest, having been intimately involved in the work of the coalition dams task force prior to the 2013 election, which has laid the groundwork for the creation of the Water Infrastructure Ministerial Working Group chaired by the Minister for Agriculture.

This government is committed to ensuring that we execute a clear, pragmatic and concrete plan for action to build the strategic water infrastructure which will enable our nation to grow and prosper for generations to come. The right infrastructure in the right place will help boost our economy, meet the challenges of the future and manage our vital water resources responsibly. As we have outlined in the coalition's 2030 Vision for Developing Northern Australia prior to entering office, capturing these opportunities requires a federal government with a vision. I am pleased to report to this place—and for those on the other side—that this is in fact a government with that vision.

Through the ministerial working group, Minister Joyce has recently provided the Prime Minister with a water infrastructure options paper. This options paper includes a list of water infrastructure projects for the government's consideration and canvasses options to accelerate strategic water infrastructure development right across Australia. There is a short list of some 30 projects that have been identified from over 100 sites. The paper has taken into consideration the work of the coalition before the last election and, more recently, in an extensive consultation with state and territory governments. The government will now consider recommendations within the options paper as part of the Developing Northern Australia andAgriculture competitiveness white papers.