The government today has announced plans for expanded irrigation in our nation's north, to irrigate the vast plains of self-cracking loams around Richmond and Hughenden.

 

The Coalition established a dams and water management task group in January to show the vision to increase agricultural production and grow the disparate corners of our nation. The task group visited the Gulf in May and has already expressed confidence in its opportunities. We have also visited north and central Queensland and just last week the task group was in the Kimberleys.

 

"We don't mind if Labor wants to shamelessly follow the Coalition's lead, we just want to get it done" said Andrew Robb chair of the Coalition's Dams and Water Management task group.

 

"They had four years and showed zero interest. Labor has never talked about food security and you couldn't trust them to deliver an infrastructure project. It's too little too late."

 

Senator Barnaby Joyce, Deputy Chair of the task group added, "I bet you want me to complain "no" but I am not going to. I just want us to get going and exploit our agricultural opportunities.

 

"Here is a tip. We have it as part of our policy because we have a vision for the North shared with a desire by the Australian people to offer some real vision. Not a school hall, not a second telephone company but building the real capacity to grow the food to keep grocery prices down, feed Asia and provide opportunity to our Australian farmers.

 

"So my message to the Labor party is show you are genuine and not just fly kites by getting serious and start moving earth not more reports.

 

"Get serious and expand your horizon across the whole of the nation so that we can make sure that Australia takes the opportunity and becomes the food bowl of Asia.

 

"Get serious and change the wild rivers laws so that the people of the Cape can have the same opportunities that you want to provide to the Gulf."