MEMBER for Mallee Anne Webster has been elevated to the Shadow ministry after serving as an assistant minister in the previous term of Federal Parliament.
Dr Webster was on Wednesday given the portfolio of Regional Development, Regional Communications, Local Government and the Territories in a re-formed Coalition.
It came as Liberal Party leader and Farrer MP Sussan Ley and Nationals leader David Littleproud announced both parties would reunite, just a week after sensationally parting ways because of policy talk break down.
The Nationals receive six of the 20 Shadow cabinet positions, leaving the Liberals with 14, including Ms Ley.
Mr Littleproud on Tuesday defended his decision to walk away from the Coalition a week ago after the Liberals initially declined to back the Nationals’ demand they support four policy areas – nuclear energy, supermarket divestiture, mobile coverage in the bush and a $20 billion regional fund.
Mr Littleproud denied his party had been “flip flopping” and insisted once the Liberals indicated support for the policies, which Ms Ley offered this week, it opened up the “opportunity to renegotiate” a Coalition deal.
Ms Ley had said the breakdown in talks was due to the Nationals’ seeking the ability to break Shadow cabinet solidarity and vote against certain positions even if the senior leadership team had resolved to support them.
Dr Webster, first elected in 2019 after succeeding Andrew Broad, said she was humbled by the appointment, after serving as shadow assistant minister for regional health.
“When I was elected … in my maiden speech to Parliament I said ‘community is built on communication, if you don’t have it, the result is entrenched isolation. Nobody thrives in isolation’,” Dr Webster said.
“It is my great honour to be appointed Shadow Minister for Regional Communications today.
“Driving across the 83,412 km2 of Mallee, I know like the back of my hand where many black spots are.
“Despite the former Coalition Government’s significant effort leading up to 2022 filling 43 Mallee mobile black spots, since 2022 Labor have not filled one in their first three years in office.
“I will be taking up the fight to the Albanese Government not only for Mallee but all regional Australians on regional mobile and internet connectivity to overcome the tyranny of distance, enable remote work and working from home, and adopt best practice technology in agriculture and small business.
“The Nationals fought hard at the last election, and since in negotiation with the Liberal Party, to ensure there is a universal service obligation on telcos so we have reliable coverage in regional Australia. I am excited to lead the charge taking this policy forward towards the next election.”
Dr Webster also shared her excitement advocating for regional development and other ministerial responsibilities.
“In my maiden speech I also said ‘roads, rail and bridges are essential for productivity and community life. Locals and tourists alike, need safe passage to travel throughout this vast electorate. Our farmers and industry need efficient transport mechanisms and systems to access domestic and export markets’.”
Dr Webster also welcomed the reforming of the Coalition.
“The Nationals have fought for and secured important reform for regional Australia,” she said.
“I am a strong advocate for principle, and the principle in the wake of the election is that the Nationals made promises to regional Australians we expected the Coalition to keep.
“We stood firm for regional mobile coverage, a Regional Australia Future Fund, a big stick of divestiture powers to hold the supermarket duopoly accountable and keeping nuclear energy as a future option in our energy mix.
“After some debate, we have secured those major wins for regional Australians, and history will hardly notice what – in the end – was arguably not a formal break in the Coalition, or at worst a few days in limbo during negotiations.”
