Matthew Canavan (Queensland, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Deputy Prime Minister, Senator McKenzie. Can the minister outline to the Senate how the Liberal and Nationals government's plan is delivering investment, jobs and opportunities for regional Australia?

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

McKENZIE (—) (): Thank you, Senator Canavan, for your long advocacy for regional Australia. Our government has been just focusing on getting it done to ensure our regions are sustainable, prosperous and secure by investing and delivering thousands of projects on the ground and delivering local jobs—projects that build on the natural competitive advantage of our regions and support them to be more resilient in the face of key challenges, whether it's drought, whether it's bushfire or whether it's indeed COVID-19—and it is having a real impact. The Regional Australia Institute has just released a report today that says our unemployment rate out in the regions is at 3.8 per cent, the lowest in decades, and our job vacancies are skyrocketing—70,000. We've got great long-term, well-paid careers right across the regions. Come and join us.

Our key industries of agriculture and mining are booming, with the resource and energy export earnings forecast to hit a staggering $379 billion with hundreds of projects in the pipeline. Ag is forecast to hit $73 billion and is well on the way to its target of $100 billion by 2030. We've invested over $100 billion in infrastructure projects, in roads and rail, to better connect our rural communities and shift our product not just to capital cities but to ports and international markets. We've spent $3.5 billion on dams, pipelines and weirs because we know that we create wealth by adding water.

Slade Brockman (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Watt, the interjections are coming far too frequently. Interjections are always disorderly. Senator McKenzie has a pretty powerful voice, and I could not hear parts of her answer. Senator McKenzie, you have the call.

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr President, for your protection. We've put $5 billion for drought resilience back into the community and we're tapping into emergent industries such as the hydrogen industry; we've put $1.3 billion on the table for that. I could go on and on. We're putting record investment into the regions. But, I tell you what, I would love to hear someone over on the other side of this chamber talk about regional Australia. Albo didn't even mention it in his National Press Club speech last week. (Time expired)

Slade Brockman (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Canavan, a supplementary question?

Matthew Canavan (Queensland, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That's great news, Minister. Can the minister further advise how supporting regional and remote communities will strengthen Australia's future economic prosperity?

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We know that, when the regions are strong, Australia is strong. A third of our population lives outside of capital cities, and a vast amount of our GDP is produced out there too. That's why we're investing in infrastructure, connectivity and resilience for the regions not just for building short-term impacts but for generations.

Take a project like the Inland Rail. More than 400 Australian businesses have already shared in the billions of dollars we're investing in that project. The ARTC, for example, has over $140 million of contracts out there that are building jobs in places like Rockhampton and Wagga Wagga as they produce the concrete sleepers. This project is going to boost our GDP by more than $18 billion over the next half a century. We've got a long-term vision for this country and for the regions. It's also going to reduce our emissions by 750,000 tonnes, which is great news as we put more product on rail and off road. (Time expired)

Slade Brockman (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Canavan, a second supplementary question?

Matthew Canavan (Queensland, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can the minister outline the risks to Australia's economic security if our regions are not supported?

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There are very real risks and challenges to Australia's economic security if we don't back our farmers, our foresters, our miners, our fishers and our manufacturers. But the greatest risk is sitting opposite me right now. We know that Adam Bandt and Albo have done the sneaky deal, and Adam just could not wait for the election campaign to outline it. He couldn't wait. What are they going to do? A moratorium on all new—

Slade Brockman (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Minister, please resume your seat.

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I want to re-announce Adam—

Slade Brockman (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would remind you that we need to refer to members of the other place by their correct titles.

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will be respectful. Adam Bandt is sealing the deal with Albo, demanding from Labor a moratorium till COP27—that's four years—on in support for all new coal, gas and oil projects. That is going to kill hundreds of projects and tens of thousands of local jobs in places like the Hunter, western New South Wales and Central Queensland. (Time expired)