Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Tyrrell. I recognise your commitment to seeking better and more modern infrastructure for Tasmania. When it comes to Launceston, I know that's an ambition that's shared in particular by Senator Polley, who's based in Launceston.

I'll come back to you as quickly as I can on the Launceston regional plan specifically, but, first, you might be aware that in this year's budget the Australian government committed around $2.1 billion towards major infrastructure projects in Tasmania over the 10 years from 2023-24 under the Infrastructure Investment Program. That Infrastructure Investment Program also provides $237.7 million over the 10 years from 2023-24 for smaller projects in Tasmania. I'm confident that at least some of them would be in Launceston, which is obviously the focus of your question. They'll be delivered through programs search as the Roads to Recovery Program, black spots, bridges, renewal and the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program.

It was only last week, actually, that I was in Launceston again. It was when I was on my way to Strahan, with Senator Urquhart, to meet with representatives of the salmon industry and local members of the community about their concerns. That was a trip I don't think Senator Duniam took last week. He preferred to stay in Hobart. I'm not sure what Senator Duniam was up to in Hobart last week, but he wasn't in Strahan talking to people from the salmon industry and he wasn't in Launceston either.

I was reminded of the incredible development that we've seen in Launceston over the last 10 to 20 years, where it's become a really modern, vibrant city. It has a flourishing art scene. (Time expired)