Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Davey, as part of the Liberal-National government's wider regionalisation agenda, we want to see people living and working out in the regions, especially across northern Australia. To do that, they actually have to have access to 21st century telecommunications, particularly the types of telecommunications that are taken for granted by those people living in cities. Our government wants to make that transition easy by increasing their digital experience. Connectivity helps regional businesses grow, creating jobs. It helps people in regional Australia to work remotely. It dissolves the distance.

Today I was pleased to launch the second round of the Regional Connectivity Program that supports unique, place-based connectivity solutions to the tune of $112 million—$45 million of that will also be quarantined for projects to unlock that potential of northern Australia. It was great to stand and make that announcement with a champion for northern Australia, Matt Canavan. Under round 1 of the program, we saw— (Time expired)