Ian Goodenough (Moore, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I'm pleased to support these appropriation bills, which make provision for the moneys required to be appropriated from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, as part of the 2019-20 federal budget, to fund the day-to-day operations of the Commonwealth. Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2019-20 provides for an appropriation of $58.4 billion to fund the ordinary annual services of the government, which includes the departmental costs of Australian government agencies, and funding within administered outcomes, which have been previously endorsed by the parliament. In particular, there are a number of key appropriations worthy of note. The Department of Defence has been allocated $19.7 billion to enhance the military capabilities of our nation, to protect and advance Australia's strategic national interests and to promote regional security and stability. Included is funding to support ongoing Defence operations.

Australia is located in the dynamic geopolitical region, which is home to a number of emerging nations that are investing heavily to expand their military capabilities. It has been a key priority to increase Australia's defence spending to two per cent of gross domestic product. In order to maintain and enhance the effectiveness of the Australian Defence Force, we must invest in facilities, infrastructure, equipment, weapons, technology and personnel to protect and defend our nation and its national interests.

It is reassuring to see continued investment in our domestic defence industry, which ensures that local expertise is maintained. In Western Australia, major infrastructure projects and upgrades are being completed at Army, Navy and Air Force bases located at Campbell Barracks, HMAS Stirling and RAAF Pearce. Our local defence industry, located primarily at the Australian Marine Complex at Henderson, employs many Western Australians in shipbuilding and allied industries.

The Department of Health will receive $6.3 billion to strengthen health services for all Australians and to support better mental health services. Resources have been allocated to alcohol and drug support services and towards improving access to aged residential care and home care services, increasing access to medicines and implementing the Sport 2030—National Sport Plan. In my electorate the federal government has already delivered $158 million in funding towards a proposed $360 million extension of Joondalup hospital. Expanding the Joondalup hospital will reduce emergency department waiting times and alleviate the need for local patients to travel long distances to Perth for medical treatment. However, the WA Labor government has reneged on its 2017 election commitment to contribute 50 per cent of the funding required to extend the hospital. To date, no provision has been made in the McGowan government's budget for its half-share of the Joondalup hospital expansion. This is an unfulfilled election commitment which is forcing many residents to drive long distances to Perth for medical treatment—in most cases, a two-hour round trip for each medical appointment. We must put pressure on the WA Labor government to commence construction of the promised extension to Joondalup hospital.

It is the coalition government's priority to provide a greater range of medical services in Joondalup. As our population ages, there is a need to provide more aged- and respite-care facilities to meet a growing need among my constituents. It is encouraging to see additional aged-care facilities planned for Iluka, Currambine, Edgewater and Joondalup. The federal government is ensuring that an adequate number of places are funded each year for our elderly residents. The appropriation bill allocates $5.6 billion to the Department of Social Services, including funding for the Commonwealth contribution to prevent domestic violence against women and children; the expansion of the cashless debit card, to tackle drug, alcohol and gambling abuse; and the establishment of a royal commission into violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with a disability.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme is being implemented across my electorate, with a service provider based in Joondalup. It is essential that witnesses receive the care and support packages they need to meet their daily living requirements. Community consultation has been conducted to receive feedback from participants about how the rollout can be improved. The federal government is providing the necessary resources to ensure that the delivery of services is orderly and meets community expectations.

In the Moore electorate there are many non-government organisations working tirelessly to provide social services to people in need, including the Spiers Centre, the Salvation Army and many church based organisations delivering relief services. These charitable organisations are staffed by dedicated volunteers and conduct their own fundraising activities with support from the local community. The federal government provides financial assistance to these worthy organisations through programs such as Stronger Communities and Volunteer Grants, which continue to be funded in the current budget.

The provision of $3.2 billion has been made to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to advance Australia's international strategic security and economic interests and to manage and distribute Australia's official development assistance. In particular, our diplomatic engagement with emerging nations in South-East Asia and the Indo-Pacific region will promote increased regional trade and economic development in a region which is experiencing strong economic growth. Economic security will in turn promote stability, good governance and national security through cooperation with neighbouring nations. Similarly, $2.5 billion has been provided to the Department of Home Affairs to fund additional national security measures, including the management of noncitizens within onshore and offshore detention; to better resource the Australian Border Force to facilitate the legal movement of people and goods across the border; and to provide refugee and humanitarian assistance. Australia's aid program is generous, orderly and equitable.

Treasury received $3 billion to implement recommendations of the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry, the resourcing of the corporate tax avoidance task force and the expansion of single touch payroll. These measures are designed to assist small business. It is important to ensure that finance brokers and financial planners—many of whom are small business operators—are not adversely impacted by overzealous regulation. Comprehensive and adequate consultation with the financial services industry prior to implementing reforms to protect consumers is essential. I recently held a forum in my electorate where local finance brokers could raise their concerns. Australia has a strong financial services sector with good governance fundamentals, so government should exercise caution when regulating the industry.

Moving on to Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2019-20, an appropriation of $7.4 billion is provided to fund the non-ordinary annual services of government, including capital works and services, payments to the states, territories and local government authorities, and funding for new administrative outcomes not previously endorsed by parliament. In my electorate, the City of Joondalup receives financial assistance grants from the federal government for the purpose of road construction and also in the form of general purpose financial grants. Last year, the City of Joondalup received $2.9 million in federal financial assistance grants, which has helped to subsidise the amenities provided to ratepayers. Appropriations include $2.3 billion to the Department of Defence to enable the purchase of military equipment and the construction of support facilities and infrastructure in line with the commitment to implement the strategic capabilities outlined in the 2016 defence white paper. As I mentioned earlier, my Perth based electorate is located in close proximity to RAAF Base Pearce, the HMAS Stirling naval base and Campbell Barracks, all of which are being refurbished and upgraded to modernise the facilities and bolster our security.

Whilst the rollout of the National Broadband Network is progressing well across Australia, there are some older established suburbs in my electorate which are yet to receive satisfactory service. My office has assisted individual cases. To improve broadband digital connectivity, $1.7 billion has been allocated to the Department of Communications and the Arts to provide NBN Co with a government loan on commercial terms to support the completion of the National Broadband Network across Australia. A number of constituents in the established suburbs in my electorate have contacted my office to express concerns about access to the NBN. These concerns have been conveyed to our NBN parliamentary liaison channels, and this additional funding will provide NBN Co with the necessary resources to address the connectivity issues in a more timely manner.

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development has been allocated $1.3 billion to fund airports and inland rail projects, concessional loan funding for the National Water Infrastructure Loan Facility and payments to the states for the Roads to Recovery Program. Local government authorities across Australia rely on the Roads to Recovery Program to complete important road safety projects, including many arterial roads in the cities of Joondalup and Wanneroo. The horticultural industry in the city of Wanneroo is facing a shortage of water allocations for fruit and vegetable growers and would benefit from this federal investment in water infrastructure. Our local horticultural growers would benefit from access to recycled water from local waste water treatment plants located at Beenyup and Alkimos being diverted for use on crops or to recharge the groundwater aquifers which are being depleted for household use. The bill provides $295 million to the Department of Agriculture for concessional loans to farm businesses, including loans to those affected by drought or flood.

To the north of my electorate, the extension of the northern suburbs railway from Butler to Yanchep will provide a continuous rail connection between Yanchep and the Perth CBD via Joondalup. This key investment and public transport infrastructure will bring commuters into central Joondalup from Perth to the south, and the growing residential corridor to the north, giving local businesses a much needed economic boost. There is scope to transform Yanchep into a major strategic regional hub through the smart cities program, taking advantage of upgraded road access provided by the NorthLink WA project, to form a gateway to the productive agricultural regions via Muchea, with the potential for a regional airport.

The third bill, Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2019-2020, provides for the services of the parliamentary departments with funding of $161 million for a range of initiatives.

In concluding, I commend these appropriation bills which make provision for the moneys required to be appropriated from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. As part of the federal budget to fund the day-to-day operations of the Commonwealth, this legislation enables the provision of improved services, facilities and amenities for the benefit of my constituents. I commend the bills to the House.

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