He will do it by increased trade opportunities and environmental improvements such as soil science. "We must do more with less", he says, and this is true.

Major General Michael Jeffery (Retd) is to come back to fight for better soils and if this is taken forward in such a form that there is financial support for maintaining and improving soil fertility, then we have the prospects of a great program.

There is a lot of money in many buckets going around and it is about making sure these buckets are delivered effectively with broad tangible outcomes.

The Prime Minister mentioned the town of Yeoval near Dubbo as an example of where there is an investment in upgrading soil fertility. Let's make Yeoval a test case of the efficacy of delivery. If we make it work in Yeoval then roll it out across the nation.

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The Prime Minister then had a question and answer session with Ben English, editor of the Daily Telegraph. He asked the obvious question: Will new committees be anything more than a new committee? That is the eternal cynicism about government.

Then it is onto the Murray Darling Basin Plan. Will government use the huge environmental water account for water-starved areas along the Murray and Darling? Short answer, no. Environmental water is important for the environment but it does not build a $100 billion industry. We will have to get new water for agriculture from elsewhere if we have any hope of getting to $100 billion by 2030.

The Prime Minister says we need diversity to drive economic growth. For this we will need substantial investment in seed infrastructure in regional cities and towns - new dams, rail, roads and education facilities. I look forward very much to his next visit to Tamworth.

Then from the audience a very pertinent question about small towns away from the coast: what is the plan for them? The Prime Minister is going to send a parliamentary Select Committee out to investigate. I must admit that does not quite light my fire.

I wrote a book about these towns, Weatherboard and Iron. I am not the only one to address this issue. You have to think about the work they do, not the work you think you want them to do.

Before the Prime Minister leaves, a lady asks whether he will commit to another $1 million per council as a further stimulus package. The answer was not very definitive but I live in hope we can deliver this program again, as we did when I was the drought envoy.

After the Prime Minister has spoken, the cheque book is off the stage. The remainder of the day is good intentions, existing programs and listening.

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