Justine Elliot (Richmond, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to speak about a very exciting infrastructure project for my local community. I was so pleased last week to announce that an elected Albanese Labor government will invest $1 million to build a new animal pound and rehoming centre in South Murwillumbah. This is a great local project and is so desperately needed, since the old pound shut down in 2019. This brand-new facility will have 16 dog pens and 11 cat cages, and will include a special Friends of the Pound shelter with up to 28 dog and cat pens, two stables and paddocks for many farm animals too. I'd really like to acknowledge Friends of the Pound, the not-for-profit animal rescue charity, which does such great work in ensuring all these precious animals are cared for and rehomed. I'd also like to acknowledge Tweed Shire Council on the design and commitment to this fantastic new facility.

The fact is, only an Albanese Labor government can be trusted to invest in the infrastructure that our community needs to boost productivity, create jobs and drive economic development, and we have a very strong track record of investing in infrastructure on the New South Wales North Coast. This new animal pound and rehoming facility is a great investment in local infrastructure. It will do so much to improve animal welfare in our community and indeed bring great benefit to so many people right throughout our region.