Sam Rae
Hawke · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“I thank the member for the question. Firstly, can I extend my condolences to Mr Austin's family. As I said earlier this week, it stands to any reasonable person's judgement that there's not a single person in this place who wants an older Australian to die while waiting for care.”
“We are overhauling the aged-care system—whether it's in-home care or residential aged care—from the ground up. The way that we drive down the numbers, which we've successfully done, is to reduce the wait times for older people to receive the care that they need. The latest data shows that we are well on our way to doing that.”
“This morning I announced that the government will itself, through legislation, establish a new legislated escalation option so outcomes of the aged-care Integrated Assessment Tool can be changed in extenuating circumstances.”
“Let me be clear. Assessments are always conducted by qualified human assessors, with clinical input documented from start to finish. This is about delivering a system that is efficient, accurate and fair so that, no matter where in Australia someone lives or who does their assessment, they are treated equitably.”
“The commissioner will advise on how government should move to improve and expand access to care, and support genuine co-design of policies and programs for First Nations people. They'll promote cultural capability across the sector, so that the people delivering care understand the people receiving it.”
“That placement is deliberate, and it is a strength. It connects an independent First Nations voice directly to the levers that regulate aged care, and builds capability across the sector. It means their advocacy doesn't stop at advice; it will have teeth.”
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“We've already delivered historic pay rises for aged-care workers, because valuing care means valuing our dedicated, hardworking, highly qualified and passionate carers and nurses who work around the clock to care for our loved ones. Locally, aged care matters. In a community where parents are caring for their own parents while raising kids and paying mortgages, reliable home support, properly staffed residential services and fair worker pay are not abstract policies; they help local families every single day. We're strengthening Medicare and investing in bulk-billing, primary care and the urgent care network so that people can get help earlier and stay out of hospital.”
“As the newly appointed Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, my priority is to deliver the historic reforms to our aged-care sector that will give older Australians the safe, dignified and high-quality care that they have always deserved but which a system neglected for a decade was failing to provide. We're hard at work preparing for the transition to the new Aged Care Act on 1 November, which will put the rights of older people first and make our aged-care system more sustainable for generations to come. The Support at Home program will also kick in to replace the old home-care packages program, giving people higher levels of care so that they can stay in the comfort of their own homes and communities for longer.”
“This included $1 billion to upgrade the Western Freeway, and we backed in the electrification of the Melton line—both of which my community has campaigned hard for. Upgrades to Sunshine station are also essential for airport rail to become a reality and to deliver faster travel for commuters from the west. We'll build the diamond interchange at Calder Park Drive to finally fix one of the region's most dangerous and congested pinch points. We promise to deliver the Bacchus Marsh indoor pool, which I know many families—including my own—are excited about. These are real investments that cut travel time, improve safety and connect people to their jobs.”
“We've made medicines cheaper with 60-day prescriptions, and now we're capping scripts so that Australians will pay no more than $25 under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Labor's free TAFE program—just another thing the opposition threatened to gut—delivers training for our next generation of workers, allowing young people to access the qualifications they need at no cost. My home, Hawke, is one of the fastest-growing parts of the country, and it's where I'm proud to be raising my family. People move west for affordability, for community and for opportunity. Our responsibility to them is to make sure that services keep pace with their ambition. I was proud to make commitments throughout that campaign that I know will make a difference to families in my community.”
“We passed legislation to cut student debt by 20 per cent, wiping billions from the balances of around three million Australians, and lifting the minimum repayment threshold—fairness for the graduates and apprentices who keep our economy moving. From 1 July we extended energy bill relief with an extra $150 off household power bills in the second half of this year, helping families while inflation continues to moderate. We've backed this with investment in skills. Fee-free TAFE is becoming a permanent feature of our training system, building a pipeline of workers in priority areas like construction, clean energy and care. That's critically important to me in my role as Minister for Aged Care and Seniors.”
“They were given a choice between a government delivering lower taxes, lower inflation and higher wages, and an opposition obsessed with waste, who promised to legislate higher taxes for every Australian taxpayer. The scale of the Albanese Labor government's victory and our mandate shouldn't be surprising. We listened to Australians, we made a promise to deliver on the things that matter to them and we haven't wasted a single moment getting on with the job. From 1 October this year, first homebuyers will be able to purchase with a five per cent deposit without paying lenders mortgage insurance. This was brought forward so that more Australian families can get the keys to their first place sooner. That's practical help for millions of families across Australia, including in my electorate of Hawke.”
“I also want to thank the Victorian Labor team, led by Steve Staikos and Jett Fogarty, who delivered an incredible result in Victoria and showed once again the strength of our Victorian movement. Can I welcome and congratulate the new members of the Labor caucus from Victoria—so many friends amongst them: Alice Jordan-Baird in Gorton; Basem Abdo in Calwell; Matt Gregg in Deakin; Gabriel Ng in Menzies; Sarah Witty in Melbourne; Jo Briskey—this legend here—in Maribyrnong; as well as the former member for Higgins, and now senator, Michelle Ananda-Rajah. Each and every single one of these people is working extremely hard every day for their community—here in the federal parliament and at home. I am proud and honoured to work alongside you. Australians went to the polls on 3 May asking for real cost-of-living relief.”
“I'm absolutely honoured to rise here as the re-elected member for Hawke and as the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors. I'd like to start by thanking the people of Hawke—from Sunbury and Diggers Rest to Melton, Hillside, Ballan and Bacchus Marsh and from across parts of Hume, Melton, Moorabool, Brimbank and Wyndham—for putting your trust in me to fight for our community. I will continue working hard every day to serve you. This election was a historic win for the Labor Party and for our Labor movement. I want to pay tribute to the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese; the Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles; ALP National Secretary Paul Erickson and ALP National Assistant Secretary Jen Light for their extraordinary leadership.”
“The weekly average since September last year is 2,700 packages. I can assure the member that people who are assessed as high priority will continue to receive their packages within a month. The brief deferral of the commencement of the new Aged Care Act is to ensure that programs like Support at Home are ready for older Australians and their families. The Labor government continue to deliver more care for more Australians, and we've given aged-care providers more time to prepare their clients, support their workers and get their systems ready for these historic changes.”
“Support at Home will deliver a system that helps older people to stay at home for longer by making a higher level of care available in the home. This is an entirely reformed program. It is not an extension of the current program; it is an adapted model of care in the home. As our population ages, we've seen demand for in-home care grow very fast. There are now more than 300,000 people accessing home-care packages today, compared to just 150,000 people back in 2020. We are currently delivering more care to more people than ever before. When Support at Home starts on 1 November, we will roll out an additional 80,000 home-care places in the first 12 months. Until then, my No. 1 priority is ensuring that older people continue to receive care and services. Until November, we'll continue to assign packages every single week.”
“I thank the member for her question, and I acknowledge her legitimate interest in and commitment to ensuring that all older people across her community can access safe, dignified and high-quality aged care. In the last term of parliament, my predecessor, the now minister for communications, worked across the parliament to pass the new Aged Care Act with bipartisan support from the opposition and constructive contribution from the crossbench. We're preparing to implement that new act on 1 November along with the Support at Home program, which is the updated program replacing the current Home Care Packages Program. These are once-in-a-generation reforms, and they will deliver world-class aged-care services to the older people who worked so hard to build our country and to whom we owe the very best care.”
“Last month, Minister Butler and I announced, after extensive consultation with older people, with providers and with workers, that we would briefly defer the act through to 1 November, and that includes the introduction of the Support at Home program. This will make sure that all operational, digital and legislative pieces are in place so that the new system is a genuine success. When Support at Home comes into effect on 1 November, we will roll out an additional 80,000 packages in the first 12 months.”
“Alongside these reforms comes Support at Home, to which the member's question refers, which will simplify current in-home care arrangements and deliver a system that will help older people stay at home for longer. As our population ages, demand for home-care packages has grown very fast. It's now operating at record levels. We have more than 300,000 Australians accessing home-care packages, compared with about 150,000 people accessing them five years ago. Last financial year, the federal government spent over $8 billion on the Home Care Packages Program, compared with just $1 billion 10 years ago. The important point here is that we are delivering more care to more people than ever before, but we are going to do it better.”
“I thank the member for the question and I acknowledge her genuine interest in ensuring that every older Australian can access safe, dignified and high-quality aged care. In the last term of parliament my predecessor, the Minister for Communications, passed the new Aged Care Act with support from the opposition and constructive contributions from the crossbench. The parliament was able to come together on this work because care for older people should be above politics. These once-in-a-generation reforms will deliver world-class aged-care services to the older Australians who worked hard to build our country and to whom we owe the very best care.”
“Under Labor, registered nurses on the award working in the aged-care sector are $430 a week better off. Enrolled nurses are $370 a week better off, and personal care workers are $320 a week better off. But, most importantly, we've improved the standard of care, giving through that every Australian the dignified care that they very much deserve. In 2022 only 38 per cent of aged-care homes had an overall star rating of four or five stars. Today, three-quarters of residential aged-care homes have that rating of four or five stars. We've got a big job ahead of us, but we owe it to every Australian to be ambitious as we deliver these once-in-a-generation reforms.”
“This legislation continues our work and delivers 58 of the recommendations of the royal commission to create a safer and fairer system that puts older Australians at the centre of their care. But the work to rebuild our aged-care system is already well underway. In our first term, we mandated 24/7 nursing, delivering more care minutes for older Australians. There's now a registered nurse onsite in residential aged-care homes more than 99 per cent of the time. Every single day, we're delivering an additional 6.8 million minutes of care to older Australians. But our aged-care sector would be nothing without the dedicated, passionate workers who care for the people that we love. Our government has invested $17.7 billion to increase the wages of those workers.”
“We're putting older Australians at the very centre of their care, building a high-quality, dignified and sustainable system for people in residential aged care, for people getting support at home and for every older person and their loved ones. We've shown in our first term that we are determined to fix the aged-care crisis, and we will see it through. I acknowledge the extraordinary work of my predecessor, the Minister for Communications, for passing the new Aged Care Act 2024 through the parliament and for kickstarting our ambitious program of reform work across the aged-care system. Today the government introduced legislation that will pave the way for a smooth transition to the new Aged Care Act. The latest step will help prepare older Australians and their loved ones, aged-care providers and workers for the act's historic changes.”
“I'd firstly like to congratulate my friend, the member for Calwell, on his glorious election and thank him for his question about the Albanese government's generational reforms to aged care. I recently had the great pleasure of visiting the Ottoman Village Aged Care facility in the member for Calwell's electorate. Aged-care homes, like Ottoman Village Aged Care, play such an important role in helping older Australians from diverse backgrounds stay connected to their culture, their language and their community. It was a pleasure to witness firsthand the warmth of care that residents receive there on a daily basis.”
“Secondly, it provides that the government may levy the costs of this guarantee from certain classes of registered providers in certain circumstances, such as when there is a default event. This bill is an important measure to ensure that funded aged-care services remain sustainable, and payments made by older Australians remain protected into the future. I commend the bill to the House. Debate adjourned.”
“I move: That this bill be read a second time. I introduce the Aged Care (Accommodation Payment Security) Levy Amendment Bill 2025. This bill is a counterpart to the bill that I just introduced before this, and it complements the provisions it contains. This bill makes additional technical, transitional, and consequential changes to support the commencement of the new Aged Care Act 2024. This bill makes consequential amendments to Aged Care (Accommodation Payment Security) Levy Act 2006 which guarantees certain payments made by older Australians who seek to access funded aged care. It does so in two main ways. Firstly, it ensures that registered providers under the new act framework continue to be subject to the government's guarantee scheme.”
“I hope the parliament will come together to support this bill, to help realise the full potential of these critical aged-care reforms. I commend the bill to the House. Debate adjourned.”
“Amendments to the treatment of means testing and income support payments will ensure they continue to operate as intended—specifically, that aged-care accommodation payments and certain compensation payments are not considered income, and that certain exemptions continue to apply to payments made to injured veterans. Concluding remarks To conclude, this bill builds on the new and enduring foundation for the Australian aged-care system from 1 November 2025, and for many years to come. I would like to thank the many people who have contributed to this ambitious reform to date. In particular, I thank: Last, but certainly not least, thank you to the older Australians, the carers, the workers, the unions, the providers, the advocates and the other experts who continue to contribute to an aged-care system that puts people first.”
“This new bill also introduces a requirement that the aged-care quality standards are reviewed every five years, to ensure that the standards of care that we all expect for older Australians are regularly considered against and aligned with best practice. Consequential amendments The Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 will make consequential changes to legislation that reference the Commonwealth aged-care system. These amendments will ensure that funded aged-care services are provided in a manner consistent with other Commonwealth legislation. Amendments will ensure that existing exemptions to the application of the GST remain in place for aged-care services.”
“Under the new act, this information is protected information, and the act provides substantial penalties for misuse. Amendments in this bill ensure this information is clearly transitioned from the old framework to the new framework with no confusion as to when and how authorisations to use or disclose this information for a proper purpose apply. Amendments are also being made to the Star Ratings program. The introduction of this program has given older Australians and their loved ones more information about residential aged-care homes. But, based on public consultation and feedback, amendments will be made to better utilise compliance information in determining and publishing a registered provider's compliance with their obligations under the law.”
“Miscellaneous changes The new act provided for automated processes to support decisions about classification levels, prioritisation and allocation of places to individuals. Updated automation provisions are included in this bill which reflect best practice for transparency and clarity. The updated provisions will support means-testing arrangements under the new framework for financial contributions. This will allow the system to remain efficient and keep pace with technological advances and ensure that older Australians get quicker and more robust decisions. The protection of personal information and the regulation of its use and disclosure, consistent with both Australian law and international standards, remains a key priority.”
“Care minutes and related measures were introduced in response to a recommendation of the royal commission to ensure that older people in aged-care homes receive the dedicated care time that we all know they need and deserve. Amendments to provider based subsidy provisions ensure that registered providers are supported to deliver this high-quality care while maintaining a sustainable aged-care system. The bill also contains amendments to support the continuation of 'accommodation bond' arrangements, which are amounts paid to enter and receive care in a residential setting made under the 1997 act, for people who entered care before 2008. The amendments also include a new civil penalty provision comparable to the existing accommodation payments framework under the new act.”
“This bill provides further support for our ambition to transform the experience of older Australians receiving care. The bill also includes amendments to the Aged Care (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2024 and other legislation that supports the aged-care system. Aged Care Act 2024 c hapter 4 amendments The Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 makes a number of transitional changes to ensure that subsidies are paid correctly to support the provision of funded aged care to older Australians. Older Australians are now receiving an additional 6.8 million minutes of care every single day—2.5 million of which are delivered by qualified registered nurses.”
“The new legislative framework follows so many other improvements, including: The new act puts the dignity of older Australians first and foremost with the statement of rights, underpinned by Australia's obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It is very important that we get this once-in-a-generation reform right. That's why the government chose to defer the start of the Aged Care Act 2024 and the new Support at Home program that comes along with it. As we said when the deferral was announced, the government decided it was appropriate to give more time for aged-care providers to prepare their clients, support their workforce and get their systems ready for change.”
“I also want to acknowledge that the reforms passed through the parliament with bipartisan support, and I recognise the constructive roles that the opposition and members of the crossbench played as these reforms were considered. It's a timely reminder that the wellbeing and dignity of older people, and the importance of delivering respectful and person centred care, should be above politics. The Aged Care Act 2024, which commences on 1 November 2025, which replaces the Aged Care Act 1997, will deliver on this recommendation and establish a new rights based framework for the delivery of aged care in Australia.”
“I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I introduce the Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025. This bill makes technical, transitional, and consequential changes to support the commencement of the Aged Care Act 2024. The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, which released its expansive final report in March 2021, shocked Australians with its damning assessment of a failing aged-care system. The first recommendation of the royal commission was the development of a new aged-care act to put rights of older people at the very centre of their care. The Aged Care Act 2024 passed the parliament in the last term. I recognise the immense contribution of my ministerial colleague, now minister for communications, in steering these landmark reforms through the parliament last term.”
“While we're delivering services and infrastructure, we're also making sure people can keep more of what they earn. Labor's tax cuts mean that every taxpayer will benefit. An average household with two full-time workers will save an additional $536 in 2026-27 and over $1,000 each year from 2027-28 on top of the tax cuts that were already delivered. That's real cost-of-living relief going straight into the pockets of working families. (Time expired)”
“That means more lanes, wider overpasses and new interchanges, delivering faster, safer travel for the 86,000 people who use it daily. In Bacchus Marsh, with $25 million in federal funding, we're helping to deliver a long-awaited indoor pool. It will support learn-to-swim programs, rehabilitation and healthy lifestyles for people of all ages and abilities. In education, we're bringing opportunities closer to home. A new suburban university study hub is coming to Melton, giving students access to campus-style facilities and support without the long commute. And, with $15 million for the Cobblebank Community Services Hub, we're backing a six-storey centre to deliver health, family and employment services in one accessible location.”
“In Melton, the urgent care centre there has been operating since mid last year, delivering the same high-quality, accessible care to families all across our region. And we're going further, with the biggest investment in Medicare since it was created. The Albanese Labor government is investing $8½ billion to strengthen Medicare, including by tripling the bulk-billing incentive. That tripled incentive already supports children, pensioners and concession card holders, and from 1 November it will expand to cover all Australians, making it easier for everyone to see a doctor without cost getting in the way. We're also fixing the roads that locals rely on. After years of it being ignored by the former Liberal government, we're investing a billion dollars to upgrade the Western Freeway between Melton and Caroline Springs.”
“Hawke is one of the fastest growing communities in this country. That growth brings enormous opportunity, but it also brings pressure on infrastructure, on services and on the people who call our suburbs home. That's why the Albanese Labor government is stepping up to meet that challenge. People want roads that work, health care they can rely on and opportunities close to home. Since being elected in 2022, that's exactly what I've been focused on delivering for our community. When it comes to health care, we're making sure that no-one in Hawke is left behind. Sunbury was one of the first communities in the country to receive a Medicare urgent care clinic, and it's already treated over 20,000 patients. This clinic provides fully bulk-billed walk-in care for non-life-threatening conditions, easing pressure on local hospitals.”
“I think the member for Hume is probably sitting in his office watching one colleague after another come to the despatch box, and I think he can feel the pressure. He's probably loosening the necktie a little bit. I think he can feel the pressure. Let's be very frank here about where the Australian economy is up to. Inflation's down. Incomes are on the rise. Finally, incomes are on the rise.”
“The government, the Albanese Labor government, is using this time, this week, this sitting week, as an important period. We've delivered a budget, which the Treasurer did, and we've come in today and sought to immediately legislate the tax cuts. I'll come back to the tax cuts in a second. We are using this week to continue to work hard for the Australian people. We know we've got an election on the horizon and there's a lot of electioneering going on, particularly on the other side of the chamber, but we are using this week as we've used the entire period of government to relentlessly focus and deliver for the Australian people. It's quite fun, nevertheless, to watch those opposite line up and audition at the despatch box for the job of shadow Treasurer.”
“The passage of this legislation reaffirms our commitment to protecting workers and ensuring that no-one is forced to sacrifice their health for their job. This is a vital piece of legislation. It ensures that our world-leading ban on engineered stone is enforceable and effective, and it seeks to prevent any more Australian workers and their families suffering the consequences of this devastating disease. I commend this bill to the House.”
“In fact, 100 per cent of silicosis cases are caused by occupational exposure—100 per cent—with research from Curtin University in 2022 estimating that up to 100,000 cases of silicosis could emerge from existing workplace exposure. Without strong intervention, hundreds of thousands more workers would continue be put at risk. The ACTU, along with individual unions representing stonemasons, construction workers and manufacturing employees, played an instrumental role in achieving this ban. Their tireless campaigning and dedication to workers' safety have directly shaped the policy decisions that bring us to this very moment. This bill is proof of what can be accomplished when unions, workers and government come together for a common cause. When Labor's in government, workers' voices are heard and their safety is prioritised.”
“This legislation would not have been possible without the unwavering commitment of Australia's trade unions. For years, unions have led the charge in demanding stronger protections, raising awareness of the deadly risks of silica exposure and providing crucial support to affected workers and their families. Their relentless advocacy ensured that silicosis was recognised as an urgent public-health crisis requiring decisive government intervention. Silicosis is unique among occupational diseases. Unlike many other workplace hazards, its cause is clear and singular: exposure to silica dust. This means every single case of silicosis is entirely preventable.”
“This ensures that our customs enforcement remains effective and that resources are not diverted from other critical border security operations. Without this amendment the ABF would be left to manage vast quantities of seized engineered stone, straining its capacity and diverting resources from other priorities. Under existing arrangements, seized goods must be stored while legal proceedings determine their final disposal. This process is cumbersome and impractical when dealing with bulk materials. This bill resolves that issue by allowing for immediate destruction, similar to existing provisions for other prohibited imports such as illicit drugs, tobacco and dangerous goods. Expedited disposal will free up enforcement resources, allowing the ABF to focus on deterring illegal imports rather than managing stockpiles of seized material.”
“This bill is about building on the important work the Albanese Labor government has already done, and ensures that our ban on engineered stone is enforceable, particularly at our borders. The Australian Border Force has been given clear directives to intercept and prevent the importation of engineered stone, reinforcing our commitment to workers' safety. This bill amends the Customs Act 1901 to streamline the seizure and disposal of imported engineered stone. Without this legislation the ABF would face significant logistical challenges in handling seized goods. Engineered stone is a bulk material—its storage, transportation and disposal require extensive resources. The amendments in this bill provide a clear mechanism for the immediate destruction of prohibited engineered stone following seizure.”
“On 1 July 2024 we introduced a world-first prohibition on the use, manufacture, supply, processing and installation of engineered-stone bench tops, panels and slabs in Australia. On 1 January 2025 we strengthened this prohibition by extending it to the importation of engineered stone too.. The Albanese Labor government is committed to improving the conditions of Australian workers, and the most fundamental workplace right is safety. That's why we have taken a comprehensive approach to protecting workers from this deadly disease. We established the National Occupational Respiratory Disease Registry to track cases and ensure affected workers receive the necessary support. Additionally, Safe Work Australia has been tasked with updating workplace exposure standards and providing guidance on silica risk management.”
“Every Australian worker has the right to go to work and return home safe, yet, for years Australian workers were unknowingly exposed to enormous risks—cutting and grinding engineered stone that contains deadly crystalline silica. Silicosis has devastated families across the nation and in communities like Melton, Sunbury, and Bacchus Marsh in my electorate of Hawke. It's an incurable disease that has caused immense suffering for Australians and their families. Workers can no longer play with the children because of breathlessness, families have lost loved ones far too soon, and young tradespeople's careers have been stolen by an invisible killer—this is the human cost of silicosis, and it is truly devastating. That's why the Albanese Labor government is taking decisive action.”
“Our Prime Minister and this Labor government have made the responsible decisions necessary to get the budget under control, get real wages moving and put in place an economic plan that works for Australians. We've delivered tax cuts, strengthened Medicare, reduced energy costs and made child care more affordable. We're building homes, investing in manufacturing and creating secure jobs. While we fight for Australians, the Liberals are backing taxpayer funded long lunches for bosses. The Liberal leader is even goading the Reserve Bank into delaying rate cuts, for his own cheap political gain. Make no mistake—if they're elected, the Liberals will cut Medicare. The Liberals will slash school funding. (Time expired)”
“Australians are strong, resilient and optimistic people. But over the last few years people across our communities have been doing it tough. We faced COVID and the challenges it brought while the Liberals forgot to order vaccines and squandered billions of dollars on rorts and corporate handouts. As we began to recover, the world faced a global inflation crisis, pushing up costs for families and businesses. When Australians gave Scott Morrison the flick, the Liberals left us with inflation soaring above six per cent, interest rates climbing and a trillion dollars of Liberal debt. Acting in the national interest isn't always easy. It needs more than cheap slogans and angry, divisive politics. Remember, the Liberals have opposed every single cost-of-living measure that our government has put on the table.”
“We send our best wishes to all those impacted and we stand with you as we rebuild stronger than before. I urge everyone to stay informed by monitoring emergency updates and following the advice of emergency services.”
“A very special mention must go to the CFA crews from Bacchus Marsh, Blackwood, Melton, Toolern Vale, Myrniong, Greendale, Coimadai, Diggers Rest, Parwan, Rowsley, Eynesbury, Wildwood, Bulla, Balliang, Mount Wallace, Sunbury and the legends at my own brigade in Ballan. These men and women left their families to defend our community and others in extreme and dangerous conditions. Their sacrifice, bravery and unwavering commitment to keeping our communities safe deserve our deepest gratitude. This remains a dynamic and dangerous situation. Without significant rainfall, the threat is far from over. The federal government will continue working closely with the Victorian government to assess ongoing needs and provide the necessary resources for recovery. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by these devastating fires.”
“Their collaborative approach, along with the strong engagement of the Victorian government and Minister Vicki Ward has been instrumental in supporting both immediate relief and the longer-term rebuilding and recovery process. The efforts of our emergency services personnel during this extremely challenging time cannot be overstated. Firefighters, volunteers and first responders from across Victoria and from interstate have worked tirelessly to protect lives and property. I particularly recognise the local CFA crews in my community who have given up their time over the Christmas period to battle these fires and stand ready to defend our communities and those around us.”
“This financial assistance has already been activated for residents in our Ararat, Northern Grampians and Southern Grampians, providing crucial relief to those who have lost income because of these disasters. For small businesses, we recognise the immense strain these fires have placed on operations. The federal government continues to work in partnership with the Victorian government to assess additional assistance measures. For the established disaster recovery funding arrangements, we're co-funding essential relief efforts, including debris removal, counter disaster operations and the restoration of critical infrastructure. I acknowledge the member for Wannon and the member for Mallee for working collaboratively with the minister throughout this crisis.”
“The tourism industry, the economic backbone of towns such as Halls Gap, Pomonal, Dunkeld, Dimboola and Nhill, has been particularly hard hit. Road closures, infrastructure damage and widespread cancellations of bookings have left local businesses struggling. Yet, despite these hardships, the resilience of these communities has been extraordinary. Neighbours have opened their homes to the displaced. Community groups have organised fundraisers, and people from all walks of life have come together to ensure that no-one faces this crisis alone. Their strength and solidarity will be central to the long process of recovery and restoration. To support these communities, the disaster recovery allowance has been made available to individuals whose livelihoods have been affected by the fires in Hindmarsh, Horsham and West Wimmera.”