Paul Fletcher (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for his question, and I thank the Prime Minister for the opportunity to add to his answer. Certainly, the Morrison government is very focused on the Hobart City Deal. As the Prime Minister mentioned, one of the elements of the city deal is the $82.3 million commitment for the provision of border services to allow international flights to come into Hobart Airport. So I was very pleased to be able to represent the Morrison government on 22 April this year at the Hobart Airport to welcome the first international flight coming in from Auckland—in other words, a key element of the city deal being delivered.

Another element of the city deal—as the member rightly refers to and, indeed, had some important involvement in—is the $30 million commitment to affordable housing. I was pleased to have the chance to visit a group of houses which had been built under the program recently. I visited Kathleen Moore, who resides in one of those homes. She thanked the government for her new home and made the point that her rent was previously 80 per cent of her pension and that, now, thanks to these new housing arrangements, it's 25 per cent of her pension.

As the Prime Minister has rightly said, work is well advanced on Bridgewater Bridge, a major component of the Hobart City Deal. In relation to the Antarctic and Science Precinct at Macquarie Point, a detailed business case is presently being developed and there's been very extensive engagement with stakeholders. I've been pleased to have discussions with the state minister, the relevant council mayors and other stakeholders on this project. (Time expired)

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