Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Hansard source

The dollars we are investing in regional Australia are not just about dollars. This is about investing in regional Australia on an economic case because of what regional Australia contributes to the national economy. The economic benefits are significant. We are going to see improved productivity and efficiency. This coalition government is investing so significantly in the regions because the economic case is there to do so.

The Turnbull-Joyce government is also ensuring that it is looking after our communities by spending $300 million to address the issue of drugs, particularly ice, in our regional communities. That did not happen under the Labor government; that happened under this coalition government. Everybody around this country knows how our regional communities are being devastated. It took the coalition government to act and it took the coalition government to deliver.