Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Hansard source

Yes, I am aware of alternative policies. They reside with those sitting opposite in the Labor Party. Those opposite are against boosting jobs in the regions because they just pay no attention whatsoever to regional communities. They do not believe in regional committees, they do not want to invest in regional communities, they do not believe in delivering new jobs to regional communities.

Mr President, listen: not a sound from the other side—not one bit of interjection saying that I am wrong, because they know I am right. We do not apologise for investing in regional communities. We never apologise for taking decisions that are going to provide a sustainable future for regional communities to provide more jobs. And part of that is looking to decentralise to get those public sector jobs out into the regions where they deserve that investment, because it is regional Australia that drives this country.