McCormack excited about new role

THE Nationals’ Member for Riverina, Michael McCormack, has said he is humbled and excited about his appointment as part of the new-look frontbench in Canberra this morning.

Mr McCormack has been appointed Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister.

“I am very excited to work alongside The Nationals’ Leader and Deputy Prime Minister, Warren Truss, in the Infrastructure and Regional Development portfolio,” Mr McCormack said.

“The Nationals have delivered some outstanding wins for regional people in the first two years of this Coalition Government, particularly in regional infrastructure and development.

“We are investing more money into roads, bridges, inland rail and decentralisation than any other Federal Government has in a long time. The Nationals understand that in order to have a strong economy, the regions need to drive much of that growth.

“This is a very exciting time to be part of The Nationals’ team in Government,” Mr McCormack said.

Whilst Mr McCormack was pleased with the announcement, he reiterated his commitment to always put the people of the Riverina first.

“I will never forget that it is the people of the Riverina I go to Canberra to represent. Whilst this new role has a particular focus on regional Australia, the people and communities of the Riverina will always come first in everything I do.

“I am humbled and excited by this new role and look forward to getting on with the task of building the infrastructure to ensure our regions, locally and across the country, are as vibrant and competitive as possible,” Mr McCormack said.

Mr McCormack previously served as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance, Mathias Cormann, for the past two years, whom he praised for his leadership of the Government’s budget restoration.

“Mathias Cormann has done an outstanding job as Finance Minister since our election two years ago and I am sure he will continue to make a worthy contribution to the Coalition’s frontbench.

“I look forward to continuing my work with Minister Cormann and other colleagues as part of the new frontbench team.

Cristy Houghton