Webster: Mallee’s confidence in water rules is critical

Recently, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg announced changes to strengthen the role of the Foreign Investment Review Board, including a new national security test on foreign investments. These are important changes but I think they need to go further.

I agreed with a call to ensure that water rights are directly subject to Foreign Investment Review Board approval, in line with these new changes.

I also raised the importance of consulting with basin communities like Mallee when developing solutions to challenges we face with water. I will continue to raise the voices of Mallee residents in parliament and with my colleagues in government as we work through these complex water issues.

I then had the opportunity to speak on two pieces of legislation that were debated in Federal Parliament. The first Bill enacts changes to the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator. It was a chance a for me to speak about the amazing opportunities in Mallee in agriculture, manufacturing, and energy, and how increases to high-quality training opportunities are critical to meet future demand from these industries.

SuniTAFE’s SMART Farm concept is particularly exciting. The project aims to increase access to future technologies, including robotics and automation, for students in agriculture and horticulture. This project will provide students with unbridled access to new technologies upon which these evolving industries are becoming increasing reliant and will provide fantastic research and development opportunities for industry.

I also spoke on a Bill that will continue the Office of the National Rural Health Commissioner. Since its inception, the commissioner has delivered valuable outcomes for regional and remote Australia, so I was happy to support this Bill.

I am passionate about regional health care delivery and told parliament of the need to continue efforts to address workforce shortages facing Mallee.