Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Recently I had the pleasure of joining over 300 proud supporters of Andrew Lethlean, the National Party's candidate for the federal seat of Bendigo. What an event! People from all walks of life throughout the community stood proudly with Andrew, a born-and-bred local who's run pubs in Bendigo for many, many decades. He is also a local tennis champion and footballer who has proudly raised his kids locally. He has put his hand up to get Bendigo a better deal than they're currently getting—

Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator McKenzie, resume your seat. Point of order, Senator Ayres?

Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Trade) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I just wasn't sure whether this new Liberal and National Party memo to talk directly to the camera was consistent with the standing orders about directing comments through the chair.

Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Point taken, but I don't see a point of order. Senator McKenzie, you have one minute and 17 seconds left.

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Labor Party might try and shut down the National Party here in the Australian Senate, but they won't shut down the National Party in the seat of Bendigo. We have a local champion who's prepared to stand up for his community against Labor slashing infrastructure locally by refusing to invest in projects. Lisa Chesters is a failed local member. She can't even make it onto Albanese's frontbench. We see in the latest rounds of regional grant funding—

Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator McKenzie, I'm going to have to remind you—I hear it so many times from your side of the chamber—that, when you are referring to those in the other house, you refer to them by their titles.

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Is her name not Lisa Chesters?

Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You know exactly what I'm saying, Senator McKenzie.

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Oh, correct! It's time that Bendigo got a better deal than they are getting from their local member, Lisa Chesters, the failed premier Jacinta Allan—we wonder how long she will hold that post—and, indeed, the Labor Party here in Canberra.

Concerningly, we've seen the regional grants program ignore significant investment in the seat of Bendigo. Andrew Lethlean and the Nationals won't take a backward step in standing up for that community and making sure they get their fair share of federal funding. They are one people, united behind one flag. We know that Bendigo spoke out loudly about the Voice, and Andrew will back Bendigo all the way should he have the great privilege— (Time expired)