Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Minister for Regional Services) Share this | Hansard source

I'm incredibly concerned by the shadow minister's commentary recently. We know that Labor doesn't like regional Australia. We know that you hate the two industries that underpin our economy—agriculture and mining. You hate coal, you hate iron ore and you don't like agriculture. The fact is they drive not only our local, regional economies but, more importantly, the national economy. Stephen Jones was talking about our lived experience out in the regions, saying that this is a life and death situation, this is about growing our local economies and this is about employing locals. But do you know what? He stopped short of committing any funding. What a surprise! So, five years ago, you didn't have a program. We've shown you how valuable that program is to our communities. Yet, when the mettle is put on you, you cannot find a dime to support regional Australia.