My speech on our government's commitment to build infrastructure and support regional industries which are the engine room of the national economy today in Parliament.
Ms SWANSON (Paterson) (15:55): In speaking on today's matter of public importance, I couldn't help but note where the opposition says:
The government's failure to build infrastructure and support regional industries which are the engine room of the national economy.
One thing I do agree on is that the regions by and large are most definitely the engine room of the national economy, but, in relation to our government not supporting infrastructure and regional jobs and businesses, I just want to talk about my own seat and statistics I feel refute that argument pretty well when we're talking about the regions. My seat, the seat of Paterson, is most definitely a regional area.
In the reporting period from 1 June 2022—remember that there was an election just preceding that—to 30 June this year, our first 12 months, I had 12.8 per cent population growth across the three-year period within that spectrum. I have in my electorate a and 175,578 people. We've got 15,473 businesses and nearly 800 new ones in that 12-month reporting period. So it is true that people are flocking to our regional areas, and it's not just because they are places of immense beauty. It's not just because they are places where you can get a good job, whether it be in mining, whether it be in heavy industry, whether it be in tourism, whether it be in some of the really cutting-edge, novel businesses that our growers, our farmers are getting involved with. There is so much opportunity in the regions, and I think that's why I feel so affronted by this argument today that says our government is not backing the regions.
In my own electorate we have in excess of $3.5 billion dollars that has been put to infrastructure on roads alone. This incorporates over $2 billion for the M1 motorway, which takes a bypass around Raymond Terrace. That has been such a battle to get, quite frankly. I've been here for just over seven years, and I can tell you that for the last seven years my colleagues and I have fought for this piece of road to be funded and finally commence building. That has happened, and I couldn't be prouder of that. We've also been working on Raymond Terrace to Karuah and upgrades to the Newcastle airport, and I couldn't be prouder of that piece of infrastructure that this government has backed in. Not only did we strengthen the runway at the Newcastle Airport; we also have built a new terminal. When you go to Newcastle now, you see this amazing facility being built. We're going to be an international airport. Again, this is our government backing in the regions. We are going to create good, well-paying jobs in regions like mine, in the Hunter region, for decades to come. Our government has also committed to $2 billion to deliver thousands of new homes for people, whether they be social homes or more affordable homes across the regions. Since being sworn in, the Albanese Labor government has made a profound commitment to close that urban-rural divide. I get really upset when we pit places in Australia against each other. Not all of us can live in a city, and not everyone wants to, but, by the same token, people who live in the regions love visiting our cities. Cities are great places. I really do get sick of this worn out old cliche where people say, 'It's the city versus the bush.'
Dr Webster: Well, it is.
Ms SWANSON: It actually isn't. This is where you've got it all wrong. I will take that interjection. It is not the city versus the bush at all. It is time in Australia that we all worked together. We need people from the cities to be joining our regional areas— (Time expired)
