Barry O'Sullivan (Queensland, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is my great honour to ask a question of the Minister for Regional Development, Regional Communications, Local Government and Territories also representing the Deputy Prime Minister, Senator Nash. Can the minister outline the government's strong record of delivery for regional Australia?

Doug Cameron (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Let's hear about the higher unemployment.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order on my left, Senator Cameron.

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

I thank Senator O'Sullivan for his question. I am incredibly proud to be part of the Joyce-Turnbull government that is delivering in spades for regional people right across this nation, compared to the previous Labor government that never ever once had regional Australia as a priority. We have seen $5 billion for the Northern Australia Infrastructure Fund Facility. And this is from the coalition government, from the Turnbull-Joyce government that is investing in the north, again, unlike those opposite.

I particularly want to acknowledge the work that Senator Ian Macdonald has done on this over a long period of time. This is going to be funding for dams, funding for pipelines and funding for irrigation schemes—in direct contrast to Labor's previous approach to water which saw the previous minister, Senator Wong, spend $300 million buying back water, a part of which did not even exist.

Under this government, we are seeing $571 million for the dairy industry support package and the $4 billion agricultural white paper. Under Minister Barnaby Joyce, we have seen real investment going out to the regions where it is needed, such as the $313.8 million on the Farm Co-operatives and Collaboration program and the $100 million on research and development—something that would never, ever have occurred to the Labor Party opposite. And we have seen the appointment of the ACCC Agriculture Commissioner, putting a real focus right where it is needed—on agriculture.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator O'Sullivan on a supplementary question.

Barry O'Sullivan (Queensland, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can the minister update the Senate on what the government is doing to improve the lives of people in regional Australia?

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

Again, unlike those opposite, and the comparison is stark, we have under the coalition government $50 billion being spent on infrastructure right across the country, specifically targeting regional Australia. We have seen $594 million under the Turnbull-Joyce government going to make sure we start the inland rail—something those opposite in the Labor Party were incapable of doing.

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

They probably would not even know where it is! We have seen $560 million per year from 1920 for the Roads to Recovery program, for the Bridges Renewal program, for the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity program and for the road Black Spot program. I can only expect that those opposite are so vocal because they know I am right on the money and they have not got a clue about regional Australia.

Senator Polley interjecting—

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order on my left, Senator Polley.

Senator O'Sullivan on a final supplementary question.

Barry O'Sullivan (Queensland, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can the minister outline what else the government is doing to ensure that regional communities and regional economies grow and prosper?

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to 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.