Claire Chandler (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last week there was great news for farmers and producers in Tasmania's Coal River Valley, with the coalition securing the funding for the critical Greater South East Irrigation Scheme. Farmers and growers were in shock earlier this year when the Albanese government refused to fund this game-changing project in the budget. Mr Dutton and the Liberal candidate for Lyons, Susie Bower, stepped in to announce that the coalition will commit to providing $150 million in federal funding, matching $150 million from the Tasmanian state government and farmers.

After refusing to fund it in the budget and sitting on the business case for more than 10 months, Labor followed suit and matched the coalition's pledge just 48 hours after its commitment. That's good news for the hardworking farmers in one of Tasmania's driest regions, who, without this scheme, would be facing a huge price rise for water which would make many farms uneconomic. After we had listened to the business case, looked at its strength and agreed to support this project, it took the commitment of the coalition and the advocacy of our candidate, Susie Bower, to guarantee that it will now go ahead.

The Coal River Valley is already home to some of Tasmania's and Australia's finest producers of wine, fruit and high-value products. By supporting this scheme, we, together with the Tasmanian Liberal government, will ensure that these and many new producers can send their amazing products around our country and the world, creating jobs and huge investment in Tasmania. Well done to Lyons Liberal candidate Susie Bower, TasFarmers, the Coal River Products Association and all of the producers in the region for successfully advocating for this vital investment.