Natasha Griggs (Solomon, Country Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is an exciting time to be a member of parliament in north Australia. Since Federation, Australians have been talking about unlocking the economic potential of north Australia. There has been a lot of talk, but until now we have not had a government that has the commitment and the drive to turn these ideas into reality. We are going to build the infrastructure we need to bring our goods to the ports, to create the economic policy which will allow north Australian businesses to develop and to invest, and to develop international relationships, which will allow our businesses to tap into the growing economies in north Australia.

Now, at the dawn of what many economists are calling the Asian Century, all of these things are coming together for northern Australia under the stewardship of the Abbott government. Five billion dollars has been allocated in this year's budget to build infrastructure in north Australia. Free trade agreements have been signed with many of the major economies to our north. And this Friday, the north Australia white paper will be launched to outline the coalition's strategic vision for developing north Australia. It is an exciting time for northern Australia. I am proud to be part of the Abbott government and proud to be representing north Australia in the Northern Territory.