Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The last question for the year is a policy question on the government's good work in Northern Australia. I ask the Minister representing the Minister for Resources, Energy and Northern Australia, Senator Scullion. If the minister could—

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Pause the clock. Senator Polley on a point of order.

Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This is question time, not an opportunity for him to carry on with his verbal diarrhoea.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Polley, you reflected adversely on Senator Macdonald and I would ask you to withdraw.

Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I withdraw and ask that the senator returns to the question rather than his preamble.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On the same point of order, Senator Cormann.

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Going back to an earlier point of order during question time, not only was the Leader of the Opposition interjecting very loudly, but she was leading a pack of interjections from the other side. She was encouraging interjections from the other side and I think you should call the Leader of the Opposition to order.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Wong, on the same point of order.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On the point of order, the fact that the Leader of the Government in the Senate, and at times others in this chamber, do not deal with Senator Macdonald, they cannot then complain when similar behaviour is returned in kind.

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, on the point of order: when you rule, you will note that what Senator Wong just said in her contribution was an open declaration of intent to defy the standing orders and to defy your rulings by her and, at her encouragement, by those who sit behind her.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Brandis.

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

Mr President, on the point of order: seriously, you cannot possibly uphold Senator Brandis's contribution there. He is the person who refuses to actually act as a leader and deal with Senator Macdonald and then seeks to let him off the leash every now and then. So I ask you to absolutely disregard Senator Brandis's basic, blatant rants.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That is not a point of order, Senator Conroy. Senator Bernardi, if you really think this is going to assist, on the same point of order.

Cory Bernardi (SA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, on the point of order: may I just wish everyone a merry Christmas.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Bernardi, there is no point of order. Senator Cameron, I hope it is new material for the same point of order.

Doug Cameron (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is on the same point of order. Mr President, I, like everyone, have sat here and watched the bad behaviour of Senator Macdonald day after day. And it is even worse when he tries to verbal the Leader of the Opposition and when he continually interjects on every woman Labor senator who stands in this place. His behaviour has been appalling, his behaviour should not be tolerated, and—with the greatest respect, Mr President, you should do something about it because they have got no control over him.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order on both sides! I will take all the points of order collectively. It is the last question time. I will take the points of order collectively, but I remind all senators: some are more serial offenders than others—

Government senators interjecting—

Order on my right. The points of order have been relevant in respect of the behaviour of many senators in this place. I think all senators need to take some ownership and leadership in relation to question time in particular and to behaviour. I think if we end it on that note, on the last question of the year, I will call Senator Macdonald to ask his question.

Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, and could I say merry Christmas to the new leader of the Labor Party, Senator Katy Gallagher, and the new deputy leader, Senator Cameron. Merry Christmas.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

To the question, Senator Macdonald.

Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I did start my question; I was halfway through it, but perhaps I could restart. Can the Minister representing the Minister for Resources, Energy and Northern Australia inform the Senate about recent steps that have been taken to implement the commitments made by the Liberal-National Party in the North Australian white paper released in July, particularly regarding development of scientific research, industry and infrastructure in the north of Australia.

Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Minister for Indigenous Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for North Australia for this important question. The North Australia development white paper is a clear demonstration of this government's commitment to regional Australia. It is also recognition of the great benefits to the national economy that will be achieved by developing the North, and the implementation of commitments made by the North Australian white paper is gaining momentum every day. In recent weeks, nearly $600 million in development programming has commenced. Firstly, the $75 million North Australia cooperative research centre, or CRC, that was brought into existence with the appointment of Councillor John Wharton, the Mayor of Richmond Shire as the interim chair.

The CRC will partner universities, research centres, Commonwealth authorities and private sector interests to devise innovative strategies for developing new and exciting North Australian industries as well as protecting those industries from risks and challenges. Most recently we have seen the launch of the government's $500 million National Water Infrastructure Development Fund, $200 million of which is earmarked for North Australia for feasibility studies and capital expenditure in water infrastructure. These exciting developments come on the back of the recently-commenced jewel in the crown of northern development. This is the $5 billion Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility. This facility will enable the private sector and state and territory governments to get large-scale legacy infrastructure projects across the line by providing concessional loans. In addition, we are going to maximise the opportunities for communities to benefit from the increased employment and commercial development that will come from this wave of investment in the North—especially for the significant Indigenous population that resides in many remote communities across the North. These great steps forward, that may otherwise not have occurred, can now proceed in Northern Australia.

Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the minister for that answer. The minister mentioned in his answer water management and water resources in Northern Australia. I ask if he could update us on any recent developments in relation to water, dams and water management in Northern Australia.

Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Minister for Indigenous Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The National Water Infrastructure Development Fund was officially launched on 19 November this year and represents the government's commitment to securing the nation's future water supply, including in Australia's north. The fund will support a range of activities relating to water infrastructure, including water resource assessments, feasibility studies and capital works. The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources is working with state and territory agencies to support them in bringing forward applications from non-government organisations, including local councils, to ensure that the government is able to consider a broad range of proposals to develop new, economically viable water infrastructure and support the expansion of regional economies.

The Commonwealth will make the assessments and the decisions on the allocation of funding, and I am particularly pleased to reassure Senator Macdonald that this process will be streamlined and efficient. This government understands that capturing and managing the water in the North is critical to the economic future of the North and of the nation.

Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. I thank the minister for a very informative answer. I ask the minister: are there any additional developments occurring in northern Australia, particularly in the areas of health, science and technology?

Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Minister for Indigenous Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Northern CRC will promote research and development in sciences, medicine, agriculture, biosecurity and a wide range of other disciplines to help build a resilient knowledge infrastructure for the development of northern Australia. The work of the CRC will be built around strategic partnerships, none less important than its partnerships with northern Australian universities.

Another critical development in northern Australia is the Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, based at James Cook University in Townsville, which was founded following the $42 million in establishment funding from the federal government. The institute was officially launched just this week by the Minister for Education at a ceremony here in Canberra, with the Minister for Trade and Investment, the Minister for Resources, Energy and Northern Australia and the Vice Chancellor of James Cook University. The work of the Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine places Australia at the forefront of research, prevention and treatment of tropical diseases. As one of only three developed countries in the tropical zone, Australia, and particularly northern Australia, is perfectly placed to become a hub for innovation, development and commercialisation of— (Time expired)

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.