House debates Matters of Public Importance

Economy

Wednesday, 28 October 2026 House of Representatives

Michael McCormack

Michael McCormack Riverina, National Party

3:42 pm

And then there's Whyalla, yet another industry which requires bailing out, not to mention SunRice. SunRice is an amazing organisation doing so much good for so many people in Finley, in Deniliquin, in Leeton, right across the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area—right across the Riverina. And yet, because of water buyback policy and because the government says that it needs to take more and more water out of the system, the government has to step in with a $14 million bailout for SunRice.

It just can't continue like this. The government can't keep propping up the industry because of its own failed policies. There's good spending and bad spending. I realise that. This government needs to stop spending money upwards of $30 million on pre-COP conferences. It needs to stop spending money on water buybacks. It has to get back to first principles—that is, making sure that everyday, ordinary Australians and small businesses can operate fairly and effectively in this economy.

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