Regional Development and Emerging Trade Markets
In December 2009 I was appointed Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Emerging Trade Markets.
I am honoured to be retaining a position in the Shadow Ministry under the leadership of Tony Abbott MP and Warren Truss MP.
The Coalition has reconfirmed its support for regional Australia through the formation of this new portfolio dedicated solely to regional development and emerging trade markets.
I am very excited about taking on this post at a time when there are enormous challenges facing regional Australia.
The Government, and in particular the Minister for Regional Development Anthony Albanese, has shown contempt for regional Australia by cutting funding and axing services to the seven million Australians living outside of our metropolitan centres.
After two years of Rudd Government neglect of regional development there is an enormous opportunity for Shadow Regional Development Minister Warren Truss and I to hold the Government to account over its litany of failures in this area.
Mr Abbott and Mr Truss have selected a new shadow ministry that will take the fight to the Rudd Government and deliver a real alternative at the next election.
I consider myself very privileged to be given responsibility for such an important portfolio.