Will the minister stand by while vital childcare services close due to a lack of government funding?

We are at a moment in our democracy that the people of Australia have been waiting a long time for—that is, to take responsibility for our actions.

With one voice, we recognise that we must do better—that we must meet the standards the public holds us to and that we hold ourselves to.

As a regional Independent, I will ensure the education needs of regional, rural and remote Australia are strongly represented.

I would argue that my amendments will help fix the holes in the government’s current plan, and I urge the government to support my amendments.

The public deserves assurance that billions of dollars of their money is being spent responsibly and with integrity, to prevent any pork barrelling occurring under this government, or indeed future governments.

In regional Australia, the challenge is ours but the rewards are ours too. Let’s write our own ticket.

There needs to be clear standards for behaviour and consequences when MPs do not meet those standards, as there are in other public professions.

When I’m visiting the small and big towns of Indi—the farms, businesses and footy clubs—people tell me that the parliament and government must be stronger on integrity.

Successful applicants are still waiting for their funding so they can get shovels in the ground.