Infrastructure Australia has queried whether a proposal to build a rail line from Yamba through the north to link with the proposed Melbourne to Brisbane line is feasible.

Under questioning from Nationals Senator John Williams in Senate estimates, the Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development Mike Mrdak said he had only seen media reports about the proposed project but had grave doubts about its success.

Senator Williams asked whether Infrastructure Australia was involved in any planning for the proposed line from Yamba through Grafton to Moree, known as the Pacific West Corridor,  which a media report suggests will be completed by 2023. 

Mr. Mrdak said his initial reaction was that it would be a very difficult project because of the capital cost and the low volumes of freight.

A project in the Hunter electorate has received funding through the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund.

The Nationals Duty Senator for Hunter John Williams says a project called The Big Draw Singleton 2015 has been allocated $5,827.

Senator Williams said this will feature artist and children’s book author and illustrator Liz Anelli conducting drawing workshops with local primary and high schools and the general public.

He said the Federal government is keen to ensure that arts experiences are available for local people to enjoy in rural and regional areas like the Hunter electorate.

Three projects in the Richmond electorate have received funding through the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund.

The Nationals Duty Senator for Richmond John Williams said he had been advised of the grants by the Minister for the Arts Senator the Hon. George Brandis QC.

Senator Williams said $20,450 has been allocated for a series of cultural intensive workshops working with youth from the Brunswick Valley and beyond.

The workshops have the title Njadhu Mala Buhbiyn Waybar – I Will Blow the Fire and will be presented to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

The Federal government will provide $18 million over three years for the delivery of advice and information services to small businesses and start-up ventures.

In announcing this initiative, the Nationals Duty Senator for Hunter John Williams said the funding will be made available to chambers of commerce, business enterprise centres and industry groups to deliver the Australian Small Business Advisory Services programme.

He said small businesses will be given assistance in funding avenues and financial analysis, management, how to build a business, developing a team and engagement in the digital age.

“The small business sector employs around 4.6 million people which accounts for 43% of private sector employment. It is a key driver of the economy.

Senator John Williams the Nationals Duty Senator for Hunter is encouraging local organisations that have the capacity and determination to help more job seekers find and keep a job to submit a tender for Employment Services 2015-20.

Senator Williams said the Australian Government is investing $5.1 billion in a new model to operate from 1 July 2015 to better meet the needs of job seekers, employers and employment services providers. 

“The new model has a range of incentives to help employers take on new staff including significant wage subsidies for young job seekers, older job seekers and the long term unemployed.

In my 6 years and 3 months in the Senate I have never seen a more blatant mishandling of the truth.
The Member for Richmond Justine Elliot released a media statement on the 1st of October with the headline “Elliott Delivers More Than $10 Million in Federal Funding for Local Councils”
Is this the same Member for Richmond Justine Elliot who on the 24th of March voted AGAINST the Roads to Recovery legislation?
The Hansard record of proceedings which is attached does not lie.(*see attached voting record).
Labor and the Greens then continued to block the legislation in the Senate before collapsing under the weight of protests from councils.