Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Hansard source

To continue my remarks—which are certainly not partisan remarks, I would have thought—the government remains committed, as does, I believe, this House, to working with these local communities. Local government has a critical role to play. This is an extraordinary country—you can visit flood affected areas one day and those affected by bushfires the next. We all acknowledge in this House the extraordinary difficulties which are being faced by these local communities. My point is very simple: the solutions are best provided by the shires of Murrindindi or Hinchinbrook—by those local communities putting solutions to us rather than Canberra telling those local communities what is best for them. I am committed to that, and I encourage all members who have a similar view—and I know that members such as the member for McEwen and others from affected areas certainly have that view—to be a conduit to me as local government minister during these difficult times.

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