Senator NASH (New South Wales—Minister for Rural Health, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Regional Communications and Deputy Leader of The Nationals) (14:37): I thank Senator Williams for his question and for his unrelenting advocacy for regional New South Wales. The coalition has delivered a budget and an economic plan focused on jobs and growth, and on investing in rural, regional and remote Australia. One of the significant investments made through the budget that I know will be very well received, not only across regional New South Wales but in regional parts of other states as well, is a further significant commitment to the iconic Melbourne to Brisbane inland rail project. The coalition is building on the 2013 election commitment which saw $300 million invested into this job-creating project—taking it off the drawing board and putting it on a strong pathway towards delivery. Building on this, $594 million in additional funding will flow to the ARTC to acquire land for the inland rail corridor and to continue preconstruction and due diligence activities. Opposition senators interjecting— Senator NASH: And yes—I will take that interjection from senators opposite—it is starting. The Melbourne-to-Brisbane corridor is one of the most important general freight routes in Australia. Inland rail will provide 1,700 kilometres of freight rail alignment connecting Melbourne and Brisbane while linking many regional ports and stimulating local jobs and local economic activity. I will point out to the chamber for those who have not noticed that it took the coalition government to get to this point with the inland rail. It took the Liberal and National parties to get to this point for the inland rail. Opposition senators interjecting— Senator NASH: Those opposite who interject are those from the Labor Party who did nothing to get the inland rail to this point. I am very proud of this, and I am very proud of the budget that the government delivered last night.