Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I congratulate Senator Joyce on campaigning in his own portfolio area. The government is building on the $4.3 billion investment announced in the 2011-12 budget by continuing to invest in regional health initiatives, education, liveability, skills and infrastructure in the 2012-13 budget. The 2012-13 budget invested in regional Australia with projects including $3.7 billion for the national Living Longer. Living Better aged-care plan—including improving aged-care service delivery in regional, rural and remote areas, recognising special regional needs and including zero real interest loans and a viability supplement to assist providers in targeted areas; $1.5 billion for the Remote Jobs and Communities Program to provide a more integrated—