Darren Chester (Gippsland, National Party, Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I take this opportunity to congratulate the Labor Party on its election success and remind the Prime Minister as he enters the chamber that he's promised to govern for all Australians. But, if you take one look—just one look—at the electoral map, regional Australians didn't buy what you were selling at the election. There are plenty of reasons for that.

In the first term, the Albanese government cut the Roads of Strategic Importance program. They cut the Building Better Regions Fund. The Albanese government cut the regional airports funding, cut the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program and cut the Stronger Communities Program.

Hon. Members:

Honourable members interjecting—

Darren Chester (Gippsland, National Party, Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Those opposite may be interjecting. I know some people may think he's a handsome boy, but he's running an ugly government when it comes to regional Australia. After all these cuts, the Albanese government introduced a growing regions program. Then they cut that too. Not satisfied with cutting all our programs, they cut the program they introduced themselves. The minister for infrastructure and transport, the member for Ballarat, cut her own program. No new funding in the budget for regional Australia does beg the question, 'Why do those opposite hate regional Australia so much?'

Prime Minister, you promised to govern for all Australians, but, out in the regions, they simply don't believe you. Prime Minister, will your government ever stop cutting funding to the regions and start delivering for all Australians? (Time expired)