Andrew Gee (Calare, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. The Great Western Highway is closed indefinitely, and two days ago a car accident on Chifley Road shut down all access in and out of the Central West. Ian Fitzgerald, who operates ICF Haulage, has 14 permanent employees. He's about to start laying them off because this closure is sending the business broke. Last week in question time you said:

The truth is that all governments, state and federal … should have done something about this …

It's true. So will your government now lead on delivering a support package for our local businesses being smashed up by this closure?

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Calare for his question, and it follows a question he asked in the House last week. I committed then to speak to Minister Jenny Aitchison in New South Wales, and I did so, as did the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government here. We've also been closely engaged, of course, with your colleague on this side of the House, the member for Macquarie, who has been very concerned. I've visited Mount Victoria and that part of the community with the member for Macquarie on a number of occasions over the years, so I'm very conscious that if the road there is shut then it has a real impact on the wonderful small businesses delivering services—in particular, in the tourism sector but others as well in that community. New South Wales has advised that the road is not safe, and it can't reopen until it is safe, and there can't be any shortcuts when it comes to safety. Management of the closure and the reopening decision, of course, sit with the New South Wales government, who are responsible for that area of the road network, and the expert advice that they receive. Based upon that advice, the New South Wales minister informed me that it's expected to remain in place for at least three months. This is a serious issue. The Australian government announced assistance for small business today, including temporary tax relief for businesses unable to meet their tax obligations due to fuel supply issues. It also includes more generous payment plans, remission of interest and penalties and support in varying PAYG, pay as you go, instalments where there's been a downturn in taxable income.

New South Wales has also put in place significant support for businesses and commuters. I'm happy to continue to work with the member, as will the Minister for Small Business, the member for Cowan, and others on this side of the chamber. We will continue to work with the member for Macquarie as well, because we are aware and very conscious of the fact that this has occurred by absolutely no fault of any of the communities there, and that is why they are deserving of support.