Libby Coker (Corangamite, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

It's breathtaking that the Morrison-Joyce government apparently considers the Building Better Regions Fund to be its own re-election fund. The fund has delivered over $1 billion of taxpayers' money, but here's what the Morrison-Joyce government isn't telling you: over 90 per cent of the funding has gone to coalition-held or targeted seats. In contrast, Labor-held electorates received a meagre 14 per cent of the funding. It's no wonder the Morrison-Joyce government has become known to communities, including mine, as the government of rorts. It's clear for all to see why this government doesn't want to introduce legislation for an integrity commission that has real teeth—it's because this government's dirty deeds would be exposed by an integrity commission. The Prime Minister must explain to people in Labor-held seats why they are paying their taxes, seemingly to contribute to a coalition government's re-election.

Then there's the fact that 55 per cent of regional grants have gone to cities. This means 3,682 regional grants have gone to major city projects compared to only 309 projects in areas classified as remote or very remote. The Morrison-Joyce government likes us to know how important regional development is to them, but the figures reveal just the opposite. As we know, there was $16.5 million of taxpayers' money which was meant to go to regions but went to the Sydney Cricket Ground. And here's another one: $10 million of regional money is going to a pool in North Sydney. How is that regional? Where's the benefit for regional Australia in that?

There's a long list of equally ridiculous examples of regional funds ending up anywhere but in the regions. Do you know what? The people of regional Australia and the people of my electorate are wise to this government's deception and to its neglect of our regions.

This week there have been claims by the Nationals that they are fighting for the regions around zero emissions policy. A memo to the deputy leader on this: you need to represent regional Australians on climate change for 52 weeks a year, not just when it is an electoral imperative. For example, in January 2020, the federal Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources released a discussion paper on the development of an offshore clean energy bill to incentivise and regulate offshore renewable projects in Australia, but, despite promises to introduce legislation by mid-2021, there is still no sign of a draft bill. Credible offshore wind projects in my region have been waiting more than five years for this legislation. And this is the way it is likely to continue with this government saying it will only invest in technologies like solar and wind when there is a clear market failure or where it will save jobs. What about creating new clean energy jobs in our regions? Surely renewable energy projects for the regions are an absolute no brainer.

Another no brainer is support for our tourism sector across our regions during this pandemic. During COVID lockdowns I implored the Morrison government to provide desperately needed financial support to the tourism sector in my region under the Recovery for Regional Tourism program. Despite a most significant loss of revenue, the Surf Coast, Bellarine and Great Ocean Road regions completely missed out. The failure to include these key tourism destinations was in direct contradiction to the government's own program guidelines, which clearly state that gross value added by international visitors and tourism employment within the region is a key factor in determining funding. I also note that seven of the nine eligible funds for the fund were in LNP-held seats. Is that equitable?

Australia is caught up in a critical shortage of timber, and it's particularly hurting fast growing regions like mine. It's hurting construction, it's impacting jobs and opportunities for apprenticeships and ultimately it's affecting economic prosperity. The Morrison-Joyce government promised to meet the one billion plantation trees target in 2018, but this government, as usual, has failed to do anything. In fact, a concessional loan program set up to help meet the one billion trees target is not yet even open. An amount of $500 million was promised before the last election towards this target. Once again: hollow words.

When it comes to regional Australians, this government speaks big but delivers little. It delivers without equity and it delivers not for regional people. (Time expired)

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