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

The benefits of increased digital connectivity for the regions are immense. At present, around 96 per cent of homes, farms and businesses in the regions either can order NBN or have network construction underway. Research has found that the network helped create $450 million in additional GDP in regional Australia last year, which means more jobs created locally. That figure is forecast to drive an additional $5.3 billion in regional areas by 2021, particularly across agriculture and tourism.

There is a potential there to unlock $49.2 billion of private sector output over the next 10 years by accessing these digital technologies. Digital ag, we know, has the potential to increase by 25 per cent on 2014-15 levels through the adoption and use of technology. The Liberal-National government is investing in better broadband to help regional Australia grow and create local jobs across the regions.