LABOR LEAVES NORTH HANGING

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Labor is leaving Northern Australia in limbo, with the Northern Land and Water Taskforce at a standstill, Opposition Spokesman on Northern Australia, Senator Ian Macdonald said today.

Senator Macdonald said that the Rudd Government showed a blatant disdain for the North by not even bothering to approve Taskforce members 8 months after their election.

“An enquiry to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government this week, confirmed my fear that the Northern Land and Water Taskforce had not yet met, there was no meeting planned and that the decision on the members to comprise the Taskforce were still waiting determination by the Prime Minister.

“The Taskforce was set up by the previous Government to thoroughly investigate development opportunities across Northern Australia for agriculture, business and water, and a focus on social issues for people living there.

“During the campaign Mr Rudd stated that:

“too often Northern Australia is forgotten by Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne.. Federal Labor will change that view” 1.

“However, I don’t see one shred of evidence that the Rudd Government is making any attempt to include and develop Northern Australia, as promised during the election.

“I am very sceptical about the sincerity of the Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Northern Australia, Gary Gray, when he stated on 21 April 2008 that;

“This move [The Northern Land and Water Taskforce and the Office of Northern Australia] is an indication of just how serious the new Government is in attracting and encouraging development opportunities across the countries vast north….” 2.

“Does Mr Gray consider a 1.5 hour visit to Normanton to be proper consultation with residents to discuss development? They are still as much in the dark as to where they stand as they were before his visit.

“On my recent 10 road tour of North West Queensland, many people mentioned that they had had no contact from the Taskforce since the election, and that this great initiative should not be allowed to wither on the vine.

“The general feeling was one of betrayal by the Rudd Labor Government. People across the north are champing at the bit to get involved with the Taskforce, but unfortunately under Kevin Rudd, they have not been given the opportunity.

“I call on the Prime Minister and Gary Gray to provide a firm date for the first meeting of the Northern Land and Water Taskforce, a firm date for the approval of Members and a firm date for the Terms of Reference to be finalised.

“The Rudd Government has yet again proven they are all spin, no substance or action” Senator Macdonald said.

1.  Labor Media Statement – Kevin Rudd, Trish Crossin, Damian Hale and Warren Snowden-3 November 2007
2.   Joint Media Release- Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Northern Australia Gary Gray, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport , Regional Development and Local Government Anthony Albanese and The Minister for Climate Change and Water Penny Wong – 21 April 2008

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