Torbanlea doorstop

ANTHONY CHISHOLM [ASSISTANT MINISTER]: I’m really pleased to be here at the Torbanlea Pialba Road and see the upgrades that have taken place on this part of the road, which features some really important flood proofing. I understand that it's been a long term issue here where there's been multiple issues of flooding on this road. So really pleased that the Federal Government were able to partner with the State Government to ensure that these upgrades were able to take place. At the end of the day, this is about safety for the local community. It's about being able to access, get to and from their communities at any stage of the year, but also include that you can get home safer as well. So really pleased that we were able to contribute to this project and see these upgrades first hand today. I’d also like to thank the community who've had to be patient while these upgrades have taken place. But what they know at the end of the day is that it's safer for them, and also that flood proofing that has taken place means they'll be able to have access around, year round.

JOURNALIST: Just if I could, could you give us an indication of the funding model surrounding this project… [inaudible]

CHISHOLM: [inaudible] ... it's been about $24 million from the Federal Government and the rest from the Queensland Government, and it's really important that we're able to work in partnership with the State Government to see these projects done. That means so much to the local community.

JOURNALIST: In previous stirring weather, floods and that, Hervey Bay has been cut off. How important is it that we flood proof these roads?

ANTHONY CHISHOLM: As we know in Queensland, extreme weather events are becoming all too common, and we don't want to see communities suffer as a result of that. So these upgrades will ensure that those weather events that do occur, the new upgrades ensure that the local communities will still be able to get about whether that be for work, or whether that be for time with family. It's really important that these sorts of projects make that difference.

JOURNALIST: It’s been a couple of years since the project was announced. How long has this project gone on?

ANTHONY CHISHOLM: My understanding is that work started more than two years ago now. But what we know is that these projects do take time, but they do make a significant difference once they're completed. So, I do thank the patience of the local community and those that use these roads whilst that construction was taking place. But as you can see, now, works are done and it will make a significant difference to [inaudible]...

JOURNALIST: [inaudible]... Has all the work finished on this road?

CHISHOLM: That's my understanding, that the work has been completed. It did take a couple of years, but there were a number of sections that needed to be done with the substantial works here being the four-span bridge.

JOURNALIST: I've just got a bit of a left field one here. Sorry. So, my question is on reports that China is blaming Aussie beef for two of its swimmers testing positive for steroids. Obviously, MLA has refuted the claims, but the World Anti-Doping Agency are still thinking about it. I just wanted to get your response on that.

CHISHOLM: Obviously, I want to congratulate the swimmers. I saw we won another two medals this morning, which is fantastic. I've seen the media reports of this issue, and I note the comments of Meat and Livestock Australia which have been dismissive of them. Ultimately, these matters are a matter for the International Olympic Committee to be dealt with and we'll leave it in their hands.

JOURNALIST: This year’s exceptional [indistinct] are being recognised at the Feed Central Hay Quality Awards. How do you foresee these achievements impacting Australia's agriculture sector, and what measures is the government taking to support and sustain high quality production in future hay seasons?

CHISHOLM: Yeah, it's an important issue and one that we recognise. Obviously, as the ABARES report indicated earlier in the year, it's been a productive year for Australia's farming sector. We want to continue to work with the sector as best as possible to ensure that we're supporting them for their continued production. We understand how important it is for local industry, and as part of the new team representing agriculture at the Federal Government level, I really want to work with Minister Julie Collins to ensure that we're listening to these organisations, but also working with them to make them more productive and efficient into the future. Thanks everyone.