Kristy McBain

Answer from Kristy McBain

The minister reported $361 million in housing support, $2 billion in the Local Infrastructure Fund, and $750 million for Growing Regions and Thriving Suburbs. She highlighted specific projects like the Cannonvale Community Hub and Langhorne Creek Discovery Trail. She contrasted this with the previous government's use of regional grants for urban projects like the North Sydney pool.

Answer from Kristy McBain

The minister highlighted the opening of the M1 Raymond Terrace project, which removed traffic lights between Melbourne and Coffs Harbour. She listed other major projects including the Torrens to Darlington project in South Australia, the North East Link in Victoria, Bruce Highway upgrades in Queensland, the Fremantle Traffic Bridge in WA, and road sealing in the Northern Territory. She emphasised that these investments were providing safer and faster journeys.

Answer from Kristy McBain

The minister highlighted funding for over 110 projects through the Growing Regions Program and 64 projects through the Regional Precincts program. She noted doubling the Roads to Recovery Program to $1 billion annually and increasing blackspot funding to $150 million annually. She also mentioned a 5 per cent increase in financial assistance grants to local councils in 2026-27, contrasting this with the opposition's previous freeze on such grants.

Answer from Kristy McBain; Anthony Albanese

The Minister reported that the AusAlert test on 27 July was successful, with over 94 per cent of cell towers broadcasting the alert. She noted the system would be ready in October. She highlighted investments in the National Emergency Management Agency, the Disaster Ready Fund with 449 projects, and $100 million for aerial firefighting. She also mentioned Australian firefighters deployed to Canada, the US, and France to assist with wildfires.

Answer from Kristy McBain

The Minister noted that 60 severe weather events had impacted over 190 local government areas in the last high-risk season. She listed government investments including the establishment of the National Emergency Management Agency, a $1 billion Disaster Ready Fund, a National Emergency Management Stockpile, the AusAlert warning system, and over $100 million in aerial firefighting capability. The Minister criticized the opposition for ignoring warnings and playing politics with recovery support, referencing comments by the Leader of the Opposition regarding firefighters.

Answer from Kristy McBain

The Minister stated that over $3.6 billion had been committed through financial assistance grants, an increase of over five per cent. She noted that the previous government had frozen indexation, removing $1 billion from the sector. She mentioned the $2 billion Local Infrastructure Fund and $1.5 billion from the Housing Support Program. She cited the doubling of Roads to Recovery to $1 billion a year. She also referenced $200 million for safer local roads and $150 million for road black-spot funding.

Answer from Kristy McBain; Tony Burke

The Minister for Emergency Management stated that drought events fall outside her portfolio and handed the question to the Minister for Water. The Minister for Home Affairs, answering on water matters, explained that water security varies by region, affecting crop choices. He noted that the Murray-Darling Basin Plan addresses water allocations during droughts, with high-security areas supporting permanent plantings and low-security areas suited for opportunity crops like rice.

Answer from Kristy McBain

The Minister highlighted $600 million in Growing Regions Fund funding, citing specific projects in Mission Beach and Wynyard. She announced $750 million for future rounds and $400 million for the Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program. She contrasted the government's merit-based grants with the previous government's allocation of funds to coalition-held seats.

Answer from Kristy McBain

The Minister highlighted the $47 billion Homes for Australia plan, noting that programs like the five per cent deposit scheme had helped 83,000 people buy homes in regions. She mentioned investments in social and affordable housing through the Housing Australia Future Fund and $2 billion for enabling infrastructure, including $500 million for regional areas. The Minister contrasted this with the previous government's spending, which she claimed was significantly lower and focused on urban amenities rather than regional needs.

Answer from Kristy McBain

The Minister stated that the budget allocated more than $3.6 billion to local councils via the Financial Assistance Grant, representing a five per cent rise on the prior year. She highlighted extra money for Roads to Recovery, Safer Local Roads, road black spots, and the Growing Regions Program. She criticized the opposition for halting indexation on financial assistance grants and for using regional funds to build a pool in North Sydney, arguing that this was not a regional project and lacked proper guidelines or tender processes.

Answer from Kristy McBain

The Minister highlighted a $14.8 billion plan to secure fuel and strengthen supply chains. She noted a nearly $580 million investment to keep Medicare urgent care clinics open, with 47 clinics in regional, rural, and remote areas. The Minister mentioned a $25 million investment for six new bulk-billing clinics in the Hunter region. She stated that $500 million was dedicated to local enabling infrastructure for housing in regional Australia. Additionally, an extra $750 million was committed to the Growing Regions Program and Thriving Suburbs Program, bringing total investment since 2022 to $1.7 billion.

Answer from Kristy McBain

The Minister detailed impacts from Tropical Cyclone Fina, bushfires in NSW and Tasmania, monsoons in Queensland, heatwaves, and flooding. She noted disaster recovery funding was activated in affected areas. The government announced 96 projects in the $200 million Disaster Ready Fund, including levee upgrades and bushfire warning systems. A national emergency stockpile was established, and funding for the National Aerial Firefighting Fleet was increased. The Minister thanked members and communities for their support and resilience.

Answer from Kristy McBain

The Minister confirmed that disaster recovery funding arrangements had been activated with Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia. Personal hardship payments were available in Queensland and the NT. In Western Australia, the shires of Exmouth, Carnarvon, and Shark Bay were eligible for recovery assistance, including emergency aid for household items and minor repairs. The Australian Defence Force was supporting operations in Western Australia.

Answer from Kristy McBain

The Minister reported that NEMA had activated the Crisis Coordination Team and embedded officials in Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia. In the Northern Territory, support was activated in 20 local government areas, with disaster recovery payments in Katherine, Daly River, and Palumpa. ADF personnel were assisting with clean-up and evacuations, and an AUSMAT field hospital was set up in East Katherine. In Queensland, disaster recovery funding was activated in 61 local government areas, with over $107 million in additional support packages. The Minister warned that Cyclone Narelle was travelling along the WA coast as a severe category 3 cyclone with gusts up to 185 km/h and urged vigilance.

Answer from Kristy McBain

The Minister pointed to the Better Connectivity Plan, which put $1.1 billion into rural areas, and a $3 billion boost to improve the fibre-to-the-node network. She mentioned the launch of AusAlert for emergency alerts and the universal outdoor mobile obligation. She faulted the former government’s management of the NBN and inland rail, stating that the current government was providing key infrastructure and retaining public control of the NBN.

Answer from Kristy McBain

The minister highlighted investments in roads, health, and education, including doubling the Roads to Recovery Program to $1 billion annually. She noted the opening of 126 Medicare urgent care clinics, 40 in regional areas. She criticized the opposition for lacking a regional strategy, citing their election review which omitted regional issues.

Answer from Kristy McBain

The minister cited $3.4 billion in direct investment in local government through financial assistance grants. She noted the doubling of the Roads to Recovery Program to $1 billion annually, increased road black spot funding to $150 million, and a new $200 million Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program. She also highlighted transparent grant programs like Growing Regions and Thriving Suburbs.

Answer from Kristy McBain

The minister stated that over 3,400 Medicare bulk-billing clinics were now accessible, with the national bulk-billing rate jumping to 81.4 per cent. She noted increases in bulk-billing rates in regional and rural areas and highlighted the opening of 123 urgent care clinics, 40 of which were in regional areas. The minister also mentioned that 2,100 junior doctors were starting training as GPs or rural generalists, an increase of 500 over previous intakes.

Answer from Kristy McBain

The Minister announced $4.4 billion over five years for the Roads to Recovery program, an increase of $1.8 billion. She highlighted the Growing Regions program delivering $600 million for projects, and increased Black Spot funding to $150 million annually. She noted the launch of a $200 million Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure program and restored highway maintenance funding from $350 million to $460 million. She contrasted this with the previous government's freeze on funding.

Answer from Kristy McBain

The minister acknowledged the impact on over 415,000 hectares and mentioned meetings with local communities regarding needs such as rebuilding the Ruffy community centre and improving infrastructure resilience. She noted that $158 million had been announced for supports including power outage assistance, clean-up, temporary accommodation, and mental health services, on top of over $330 million already enacted under Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. She stated that the government would continue to work with state and local governments to identify and provide further assistance as needed.

Answer from Kristy McBain

The minister highlighted investments in regional health, housing, and education, including the Regional and Remote Airport Support Program and $10,000 payments for housing apprentices. She noted that PBS medicines were now $25 or less, saving over $200 million annually, and that 122 urgent care clinics had opened, with 39 in regional areas. She also mentioned increasing Roads to Recovery funding to $1 billion a year, with 85 per cent going to regional councils.

Answer from Kristy McBain

The Minister reported that over $330 million had been committed for disaster recovery, including $158 million announced recently. Funding covered clean-up, business support, rebuilding infrastructure like the Harcourt cool store, and mental health support. Disaster recovery payments were available in 57 locations, and income support was available in 23 local government areas. She warned that conditions could change quickly and urged residents to follow emergency advice.

Answer from Kristy McBain

The Minister stated that more than $77 million had been committed under Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements for Victoria, including support for primary producers and disaster recovery payments in 47 locations. For Queensland, more than $66 million had been activated, with emergency fodder drops, grants, and $1112 million for airport repairs announced. She noted that 1,300 structures had been damaged or destroyed in Victoria, and stock losses in Queensland could exceed 50,000. The government continued to work with state governments to provide further assistance.

Answer from Kristy McBain

The minister reported that disaster recovery funding had been activated in several local government areas to provide immediate relief and support infrastructure repairs. She highlighted collaboration with the NT government, emergency services, and the National Emergency Management Agency. She noted that over $600 million from the $1 billion Disaster Ready Fund had been committed to 446 projects, including cyclone shelters and emergency coordination facilities, to reduce disaster risk.

Answer from Kristy McBain

The minister cited the National Climate Risk Assessment, noting that 70 natural disasters were declared in 2024-25. She highlighted the creation of the National Emergency Management Agency, the $1 billion Disaster Ready Fund, increased aerial capability, and a national emergency stockpile. She also mentioned funding for Disaster Relief Australia and emphasized that the government was taking decisive action while the opposition debated climate science.

Answer from Kristy McBain

The minister highlighted the establishment of 90 Medicare urgent care clinics, including 31 in regional areas, and the reduction of PBS co-payments to $25. She noted investments in mental health centres and bulk-billing incentives. She also listed infrastructure projects such as the Kwinana aquatics centre, Port Fairy skate park, and funding for the Hunter Park youth precinct in Gilgandra.

Answer from Anthony Albanese; Kristy McBain

The Prime Minister acknowledged the impact of climate change on weather events and mentioned recent changes to the RIC program to support resilience. The Minister for Emergency Management highlighted the $1 billion Disaster Ready Fund, with projects including levees and culvert upgrades. She emphasized the importance of both hard infrastructure and soft infrastructure, such as preparedness programs in local communities.

Answer from Kristy McBain

The minister stated that the government had expended over $212 million on income supports and $300 million on various supports across 19 local government areas. She noted that $25,000 grants were available for small businesses and that the recovery coordinator was gathering data to determine if additional supports were needed. She emphasized ongoing collaboration with the NSW government and local communities.

Answer from Kristy McBain

The minister highlighted tax cuts, cheaper medicines, bulk-billing investments, and 31 urgent care clinics in regional areas. She noted that over 30,000 people had accessed the regional home buyers guarantee and that a $10,000 incentive was being delivered to construction apprentices. She emphasized that the government was protecting penalty rates and cutting student debt.