Barnaby Joyce (New England, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Hansard source

I did not hear it to its conclusion, but I got the general gist of the question. I would like to commend the work of the member for Kennedy, who has been here for nearly a quarter of a century. I know he is a man of great vision. He was also the Minister for Northern Development in the Bjelke-Petersen government—a position he held for quite some time. I remember talking to the member for Kennedy right back in 2000, in the National Party days, and I know the vision and the passion he has for Northern Australia. Well may you have that vision, because those in the Labor Party do not and will not stand up for Northern Australia. Member for Kennedy, we have put $2.2 million on the table to fund the feasibility study for Hell's Gate because of the intrepid work and detail that was put into that by you and the former member for Herbert Ewen Jones.

Of course, the current member for Herbert is not really interested in dams in Northern Australia. She is not really interested in dams anywhere. The current member for Herbert is not very interested in the Carmichael mine. But of course what we want to do is pursue—in fact, Member for Kennedy, you would be interested to know that this year we have been accepting applications from state governments for further construction funding. How many dam projects has the Queensland Labor government come through with? None. Zero. Not one.

Ms Chesters interjecting—

Ms Butler interjecting—

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