Mr HIGGINS - 2014-05-15
Can you please correct the record on what this government is doing to upgrade bush infrastructure?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Daly for his question. We are proud of the budget delivered by our Treasurer. We are building for the Territory and we have a plan, despite the information being peddled by those opposite. Budget 2014-15 contains a range of great projects to benefit those in the bush. The government is investing over $73m in the Territory with funding for the delivery of electricity, water, and sewerage services to 72 remote Indigenous communities.
I was surprised and disappointed to hear the comments from the members opposite, saying we are doing nothing for the bush. This is simply untrue. Even a quick glance at the budget overview on page two shows there is over $17m for essential services infrastructure alone. This includes Maningrida, where $3m has been allocated for an election promise to upgrade the sewerage system in the community. This upgrade will improve public health outcomes by reducing the risk of public contact with sewerage effluent, particularly from the sewage overflow into the sea, but it does not stop there.
This might interest the member for Arnhem, the community of Angurugu will benefit from almost $7m allocated to stage one works for the replacement of the asbestos-riddled sewer mains.
Member for Nhulunbuy, the community of Yirrkala will benefit from $1m allocated for the replacement of a ground level water storage tank, providing Yirrkala with a secure water supply into the future.
This government has listened to the bush and is working hard to provide infrastructure to benefit the lives of those who need it most. An amount of $1.6m has been allocated to replace the elevated water storage tank to provide Numbulwar, member for Arnhem, with a secure water supply by removing the risk of storage failure. At Galiwinku, member for Nhulunbuy, the Northern Territory government is working with the Commonwealth to provide almost $5m to upgrade essential services infrastructure. This includes a sewerage system that will allow the growth of the community, which is desperately waiting for the upgrade. This upgrade will support the overdue development of childcare, health and multipurpose facilities in the community. We have listened, we are delivering; we have a plan.
Ms WALKER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113. I would like to hear the minister’s comments on $8m ripped out of Children and Families for our most vulnerable Territorians.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Nhulunbuy, that is a misuse of standing orders. You are on a warning. Minister, you have the call.
Mrs PRICE: Madam Speaker, these works prove the Giles government is working hard for the bush, and I look forward to delivering real outcomes.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Daly for his question. We are proud of the budget delivered by our Treasurer. We are building for the Territory and we have a plan, despite the information being peddled by those opposite. Budget 2014-15 contains a range of great projects to benefit those in the bush. The government is investing over $73m in the Territory with funding for the delivery of electricity, water, and sewerage services to 72 remote Indigenous communities.
I was surprised and disappointed to hear the comments from the members opposite, saying we are doing nothing for the bush. This is simply untrue. Even a quick glance at the budget overview on page two shows there is over $17m for essential services infrastructure alone. This includes Maningrida, where $3m has been allocated for an election promise to upgrade the sewerage system in the community. This upgrade will improve public health outcomes by reducing the risk of public contact with sewerage effluent, particularly from the sewage overflow into the sea, but it does not stop there.
This might interest the member for Arnhem, the community of Angurugu will benefit from almost $7m allocated to stage one works for the replacement of the asbestos-riddled sewer mains.
Member for Nhulunbuy, the community of Yirrkala will benefit from $1m allocated for the replacement of a ground level water storage tank, providing Yirrkala with a secure water supply into the future.
This government has listened to the bush and is working hard to provide infrastructure to benefit the lives of those who need it most. An amount of $1.6m has been allocated to replace the elevated water storage tank to provide Numbulwar, member for Arnhem, with a secure water supply by removing the risk of storage failure. At Galiwinku, member for Nhulunbuy, the Northern Territory government is working with the Commonwealth to provide almost $5m to upgrade essential services infrastructure. This includes a sewerage system that will allow the growth of the community, which is desperately waiting for the upgrade. This upgrade will support the overdue development of childcare, health and multipurpose facilities in the community. We have listened, we are delivering; we have a plan.
Ms WALKER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113. I would like to hear the minister’s comments on $8m ripped out of Children and Families for our most vulnerable Territorians.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Nhulunbuy, that is a misuse of standing orders. You are on a warning. Minister, you have the call.
Mrs PRICE: Madam Speaker, these works prove the Giles government is working hard for the bush, and I look forward to delivering real outcomes.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016