Last week marked the final parliamentary sitting for 2019. Over the coming weeks, I'm looking forward to spending time back in the Parkes electorate, and fulfilling my Ministerial duties in Regional Services, Decentralisation and Local Government. During the week the Coalition Government progressed important legislation and successfully repealed Labor's "Medevac" law.
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This Government only introduces legislation that is good for Australia - by contrast, Labor's Medevac ultimately outsources our migration program to advocate doctors. Processes for medical transfer already exist and are effective. Specifically, section 198B of the Migration Act allows for a transitory person from a country or place outside Australia to come to Australia for a temporary purpose, for example medical or psychiatric assessment or treatment.
The Coalition Government has always been clear on its position on border protection - it is the Australian Government that should determine who is allowed to enter Australia.
Certainty for Inland Rail: The Federal and Queensland Governments have signed a bilateral agreement to provide certainty for the Inland Rail project to proceed in Queensland, where up to 60 per cent of the total project cost will be invested (some $6 billion).
The delivery of Inland Rail in Queensland is a huge win for the state, providing jobs and opportunities to communities, but it also represents major progress for the entire Inland Rail project, spanning more than 1700 kilometres. We're already seeing the benefits in New South Wales with the section of track between Parkes and Narromine underway.
We are transforming the way freight is moved in Australia. For every dollar we are investing in Inland Rail, $2.62 will be returned to the national economy. Modelling by the CSIRO shows an average saving of $76 per tonne for horticulture and post-processed food when shifted onto the double-stacked trains.
Combatting phone scams: The Government has signed off on an action plan to crack down on scams perpetrated over phone networks, recently released by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). In recent months there have been numerous reports of scammers using phone numbers of organisations such as the Australian Taxation Office and NBN Co.
Three trials will be conducted to combat common phone scams and techniques. Telcos will be identifying and blocking calls which appear to come from a well-known Australian organisation but are actually made by scammers. The trials will also target scam calls that try to entice Australians to call expensive premium numbers by leaving a missed call on their mobile. Scammers cause victims significant emotional and financial hardship - this is why the Coalition Government is committed to taking action.
