I am honoured to serve in the shadow ministry again, this time as Shadow Minister for Regional Services, Territories and Local Government and Shadow Minster for Regional Communications.

I live in a regional community and understand the importance of boosting services available to people living outside of our major cities.

It is essential that regional Australia has a strong voice and unfortunately the Nationals party just hasnt done enough to wield influence within the Coalition. Labor will hold them to account for their policy promises and their failures.

Malcolm Turnbull doesnt understand the needs of regional communities, but this Parliament must deal with the big challenges facing our regions. This includes boosting economic growth and addressing high youth unemployment as well as a lack of infrastructure and services.

Malcolm Turnbull promised a faster and cheaper National Broadband Network for regional Australia by the end of 2016. The clock is ticking and his Government just hasnt delivered.

The Prime Minister also promised to fix mobile phone black spots across rural and regional Australia. It is vital that we have a blackspot program that delivers on regional not political needs, so that areas vulnerable to natural disasters arent left off the list.

I look forward to working closely with Anthony Albanese, Michelle Rowland, Pat Conroy and Warren Snowden to hold the Government to account and provide positive alternatives for regional Australia.