Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

Thanks, Senator Dodson. Unfortunately, just this week, we have seen that not all governments follow the apolitical approach of the Albanese government in supporting communities impacted by natural disasters. I was appalled to read reports that former New South Wales Deputy Premier and New South Wales National Party leader John Barilaro redirected funding away from certain communities that were devastated by the Black Summer bushfires. Why do you think funding was ripped away from them by the former Nationals leader in New South Wales? For one reason, and one reason alone—that's because they were held in state seats held by Labor members.

It seems the rorting disease that was in epidemic proportions under the federal Liberals and Nationals also spread its way to New South Wales. What is it with the Nationals and rorting public funds? We know the federal Nationals have lots of form on this. Let's forget about sports rorts for a moment. Let's forget about regional rorts. It even happened with disaster funding as well. Who will ever forget that in the Northern Rivers federal National seats got funding and Labor seats didn't? That is a disgraceful thing to occur and it will never happen under our government. (Time expired)