Kristy McBain (Eden-Monaro, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories) Share this | Hansard source

I want to thank the member for Richmond for her question. She understands the impact of climate change on her regional communities, and I was with her in Murwillumbah, where I had the privilege of meeting with local farmers, businessowners and community members, who understand the need for action on climate change now and investment in particular in disaster resilience. I thank her for her work in advocating for disaster affected communities.

We know natural disasters are increasing in frequency and ferocity. The National Climate Risk Assessment highlighted that Australia will experience climate hazards, like floods, cyclones, heatwaves, droughts and bushfires, more frequently, more severely and often at the same time. It finds that no Australian community will be immune to climate risks. Those opposite are shaking their heads, and I don't know why. In 2024-25, there were 70 declared natural disasters, impacting more than 200 local councils across the country. And some of them had more than one disaster. It is absolutely gobsmacking to sit there and shake your head and say this isn't impacting communities that you represent.

It highlights the importance of taking action to help mitigate the impacts on communities, and this government is taking action. We've created the National Emergency Management Agency. We've established the Disaster Ready Fund, where we're investing a billion dollars in disaster mitigation over five years with matching funding from other levels of government. We've increased funding for aerial capability to respond to fires, to floods and to other severe weather events. We've built the first ever national emergency stockpile to supplement jurisdictions' own resources of emergency housing, water purification and other necessities when disasters strike. We're funding Disaster Relief Australia, a veteran run volunteer organisation to provide boots on the ground when it comes to clean-up and to recovery. We are taking action to mitigate risks and to ensure communities are more resilient ahead of the next natural disaster.

While those opposite continue to debate whether they believe in climate change or not, we are taking action. While those opposite continue to fight the climate wars amongst themselves, because the rest of us are getting on with the job—

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