Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Hansard source

What we have seen today is a government that is setting out an ambitious, long-term reform agenda for the North. We understand that a strong north of Australia means a strong nation—more business, more trade and more investment. What does that mean for the people of Australia, including the people in the south of Australia? It means stronger growth, more jobs, higher incomes and better living standards—as I said, not just for the people in the north of Australia but for all Australians.

This is a government that recognises that the north of Australia is a great place to live and work. This is a government that is going to unleash the untapped economic potential of the north of Australia. Our paper sets out the actions to capitalise on the north of Australia's strength, to manage the impediments to growth and to create the right conditions for private sector investment, innovation and growth, including addressing the infrastructure needed to support the long-term growth for the region.

Senators on this side of the chamber know that northern Australia is a diverse and vibrant region rich in opportunities to drive growth in jobs and investment. The Commonwealth government is making record levels of investment in the north of Australia. We are investing $1.2 billion over the forward estimates in northern Australia to seize the economic potential and the opportunities, and to secure all Australians' future. (Time expired)