Lisa Chesters (Bendigo, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I'm pleased to stand here today to share with the House that the Albanese Labor government, in July, announced $76 million in funding for projects across the country that will help farmers adapt to climate-smart, sustainable agricultural practices. The announcement included $1.8 million for the local North Central Catchment Management Authority, based in my electorate of Bendigo. This $1.8 million will help our local farmers to adapt and introduce more creative ways to manage the impacts of climate change on their farms.

My electorate is home to some of the most innovative and creative farmers in Australia. They have embraced the fact that they need to adapt their farming methods and find new ways to ensure that their farms are not only adapting to climate change but also restoring soil quality and, at the same time, continuing to be productive farms. Where we are at the moment with this particular grant process is that our catchment management authority has called for expressions of interest and will soon advise the successful farmers of whether they will be able to proceed with their projects.

I'd also like to note in the time that I have remaining that we've recently had Aged Care Employee Day, which is an opportunity for all of us to visit an aged-care facility in our electorate and to thank the amazing workers that keep older residents safe as well as care for them in a compassionate way. I had the opportunity of visiting Bupa Bendigo. They had cake available—the residents there are big fans of cake. It was an opportunity to thank the many workers at their facility, some of whom have worked there for more than 25 years. It was also an opportunity to thank them for their hard work and to recognise their dedication.

Every day older Australians are living longer, and we want to make sure that they are living better. Investing in aged care is one way in which we can do that. Since coming to government, we have invested in ensuring that every residential aged-care facility has a nurse 24/7. We've invested in lifting the wages of people working as patient-care assistants and others in the sector, ensuring that our older Australians have the compassion and care that they need.

Finally, I'd like to give a shout-out to all our early childhood educators. Early Learning Matters Week ran from 18 to 24 August. It was an opportunity to recognise not only our amazing early childhood educators but the importance of early childhood education. We have over 70 early learning centres in the Bendigo electorate, and they are doing their bit to educate the next generation.

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