Regional Australians are known for being battlers and for their quiet strength and their dignity in dealing with the challenges that life in regional Australia can and does bring. But this shouldn't mean that regional Australians are forced to tackle their health problems alone. It shouldn't mean that, while people in the cities have the convenience of nearby hospitals and specialists, people in regional areas do not have access to life-saving facilities and suffer worse outcomes.

I've just heard of the Albanese government's decision not to fund a prostate cancer specialist nurse in the Far West Local Health District in my electorate in New South Wales. It is a heartbreaking decision for people, including all of those in the Broken Hill community. I'm advised that the decision will put hundreds of men in Broken Hill, Tibooburra, Wilcannia, White Cliffs, Ivanhoe and the entire western part of New South Wales at further risk. They will no longer have access to specialist care. It's likely to mean the end of the very successful cancer community support group and the end of the tailored specialist care that's been provided. This wasn't good enough in the 1800s, and it's certainly not good enough now.

I've also heard recently from Emma from Forbes, an absolutely inspiring young lady who is in the building today. She was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour in 2020. Emma has had surgery, chemotherapy and 33 rounds of brain radiation and has been part of clinical trials, but her tumour has continued to grow. To quote Emma: 'The federal government needs to invest more into brain tumour research and better access to clinical trials and emerging treatments.' Emma has experienced firsthand the gap in effective treatment and clinical trials and support because of where she lives. She is part of the Head of the Hill 2026 event that was held here in the Great Hall today. It a great event advocating for stronger action for brain cancer.

In the newly developed Gunnedah Hospital, the brand-new birthing suite sits unused while our Gunnedah women are forced to travel one hour and sometimes significantly more than that to Tamworth or to Newcastle. Why? Because the hospital has no obstetrician. The $53 million redevelopment has already downgraded the capacity to 20 fewer beds and from two theatres down to one and has delivered no renal dialysis and no oncology services as originally promised four years ago.

People across the Parkes electorate are being treated as second-class citizens, and no value is being placed on their health and their lives. Regional Australians already live shorter lifespans compared to their city cousins because of where they live. This is a devastating situation that requires more attention, more consultation and, frankly, more funding.

I need to address the Albanese government's appalling and divisive approach to the future of energy in this country. This government has been falling all over itself to invite foreign entities into Australia to reach its impossible goal of net zero by 2050. Families, businesses and farms are all apparently just speed bumps in this exercise. To Labor, they are apparently the Australians who really don't matter. Net zero needs to go.

Hand in hand with this debacle comes the High Court decision on the Mount Pleasant coalmine expansion, which has huge consequences for our resource rich nation. Australia will now face greater regulatory risk because of the emissions generated in other countries, not our own. This will have an impact on investment. It will have an impact on jobs in mining, a sector that has always played a fundamental role in my own electorate of Parkes. We have had hugely mixed messages about this from the Albanese government. But make no mistake; they are not supportive of the critical mining industry, and our country will lose thousands of jobs and our prosperity.

The Nationals, as part of a coalition, will introduce the Protecting Mining Jobs and Export Bill. This bill will prevent Commonwealth, state or territory laws from being used to block, delay, restrict or impose additional conditions on Australian resource projects because of the emissions they generate. Otherwise, not only will we condemn the mining industry and the vital products and prosperity they provide but we will once again deprive our own country and people of critical opportunities. (Time expired)