Page: 16665
Ministerial Statement
Mr DAVID CAMPBELL (Keira—Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Illawarra, and Minister for Small Business) [2.18 p.m.]: Honourable members would be aware of the Carr Government's support for rural and regional development. I have previously voiced my frustration at the difficulties experienced in convening the National Regional Development Council; it has been nearly two years since its last meeting. The Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, John Anderson, has finally offered to have the council meet on 30 September. Although I made the request previously that the national meeting be held at Wollongong, the Illawarra, or in fact any regional location, my request has been rejected. Minister Anderson snubbed Wollongong as the location, saying that he could not make it. He said that if we insisted on meeting in Wollongong he would send his Parliamentary Secretary, De-Anne Kelly. However, he said that if we agreed to a regional development meeting in Sydney he would attend. On behalf of regional New South Wales I appeal to Mr Anderson to reconsider having Sydney as the venue, and do the right thing. The meeting of regional Ministers should be held in a regional centre.
Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the honourable member for Upper Hunter to order.
Mr DAVID CAMPBELL: That decision is symbolic of how far The Nationals have moved away from their rural base. John Anderson is no Black Jack McEwen, or no Ian Armstrong for that matter.
Mr ANDREW FRASER (Coffs Harbour) [2.21 p.m.]: It is interesting to hear the Minister for Small Business talk about regional New South Wales. The Carr Labor Government recognises NSW as Newcastle, Sydney and Wollongong.
Mr SPEAKER: Order! The honourable member for Bathurst will come to order. The Minister for Regional Development will come to order.
Mr ANDREW FRASER: If a meeting is to be held to discuss regional issues, it should be held in Sydney so that everyone involved can get there. The Nationals do not want to back the Minister, and I am sure the Deputy Prime Minister does not want to back him either, in his efforts to make a big man of himself in his own electorate. He is a failure there, and he has failed small businesses and regional development across New South Wales. I support the Deputy Prime Minister in his decision.