Well, when it comes to politics, it’s not quite gerrymandering, but some people might say it’s on a similar level. Interesting things have happened, particularly down south in Marrickville with a golf course. Let’s find out a bit more about this. Queensland Senator with the LNP, Paul Scarr, joins us. Morning, Paul. How are you today?
PAUL SCARR: Great to be with you, Murray, and your listeners in Paradise.
HOST: We want to talk about your trip to Weipa. Last time we spoke, you were about to head up there, but we’ll come to that shortly. When it comes to being in power, you can certainly push things your way, which can work for your electorate. I guess that’s one of the concerns that has come up over the last week or so regarding a golf course. Tell me a little more about this, Paul.
PAUL SCARR: Sure, Murray. The Senate has been conducting an inquiry into this Labor Government program called the Major and Local Community Infrastructure Program. This program has provided $560 million to community infrastructure projects around Australia, and people are currently going through the application process.
However, there are some fundamental problems with this program. First, 45 federal electorates missed out entirely. A population of 8 million people missed out entirely. They’re not getting a brass razoo, and the money is being concentrated in Labor-held seats.
That’s the first problem. The second problem is the process by which this money is allocated. We talked about the Marrickville Golf Club, which is in Prime Minister Albanese’s electorate. They invited only one applicant to apply for this $6 million grant, and it was the Marrickville Golf Club. No other golf club could apply for that $6 million. It didn’t matter how worthy they were; only one golf club was invited. How is that a merit-based process?
HOST: I understand there are concerns about this. Some would describe it as a degree of nepotism. At the end of the day, though, there have been arguments over the past couple of days that any party in power would do this. We won’t get into that argument right now. However, we need checks and balances so these things don’t happen in the future.
PAUL SCARR: I think that’s right, Murray. From my perspective, it’s about fairness. If you’re going to have programs like this, make sure the benefits are distributed fairly and equitably across the whole of Australia. It’s simply not good enough that 8 million people are missing out.
I actually asked the local Lord Mayor of the area that contains the golf club how he would feel if he were living in one of those 45 federal electorates. How would he feel if he were the mayor of a council area that was missing out entirely while another council was receiving funding for three projects? It’s just not fair.
Whoever is in power, you’ve got to make sure taxpayer money, and it is taxpayer money after all, is spent equitably and fairly across the whole of Australia.
The other thing, Murray, is that Queensland is receiving $64 million less than it should be getting if the money were distributed fairly across Australia. That’s another issue with this program.
HOST: It’s one of those key issues. Sadly, we’ve seen a breakdown of these principles in various nations around the world. We won’t go into specifics, but accountability, transparency and fairness are core Australian values. I definitely agree with you. We need transparency, accountability and fairness right across the board. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.
PAUL SCARR: Absolutely. I travel right across Queensland and see the need for more community infrastructure and more investment in sporting facilities, which provide opportunities for young people and help bring communities together.
It breaks my heart when I see so much of this money going to New South Wales and Victoria, particularly Victoria, while Queensland misses out. We’ve been short-changed by $64 million, and that’s simply not good enough.
HOST: Let’s talk a little more about your recent trip to this part of the world. When we last spoke, you were about to get on a plane to Weipa. How was your trip?
PAUL SCARR: Fantastic. It was my first trip to Weipa. We held a citizenship ceremony and welcomed two new Australian citizens.
I also had the opportunity to visit the mine site. Hats off to Rio Tinto and the mining operations there. I come from a mining background, and you can see the quality of the site and the work being done there.
There are some significant investment decisions yet to be made, which I think could be wonderful for Queensland, so stay tuned for that.
I also met local people, small business owners and representatives of the Weipa Town Authority. It was great to see the pride they have in their town. A recurring theme was that people might leave Weipa for work or family reasons, but they often return because it’s such a wonderful place.
I’d encourage your listeners to visit Weipa during the dry season. There’s a wonderful caravan park, excellent fishing, and a fantastic pottery club with its own store. I bought some Weipa pottery and brought it back with me. It’s now displayed in my office window in Parliament House.
It was a terrific trip, Murray.
HOST: And of course, with the alumina industry in that part of the world, I imagine the clay is fairly red?
PAUL SCARR: Absolutely, but the members of that pottery club have tremendous skills. There’s a whole range of different products available.
It really was a great trip. Hats off to the people of Weipa. It’s a very remote community, and residents face a range of challenges. They’re generating enormous wealth for our state and our country, and there’s a real sense of community there.
I highly recommend your listeners get up to Weipa, but do it during the dry season.
HOST: The diversity of the region, and particularly the mining opportunities there, are important for many reasons, including national security and strategic interests. It’s so important to support those industries as well.
Great to talk to you this morning. Some very interesting discussion, particularly around accountability and transparency, which I’m certainly a strong supporter of.
