Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business) Share this | Hansard source

I completely reject the premise of your question. Again, only someone like Senator Watt, who conveniently visited seats in Queensland that we picked up, would be able to play politics with what's going on with the bushfires. I have personally spoken to Andrew Constance. Can I assure you he is fully aware of the support that both the state government and the federal government are providing.

In relation to New South Wales, at least the New South Wales government have activated their scheme and are currently considering expressions of interest. Senator Watt, perhaps you would like to speak to the Labor state government of Victoria and the Labor state government of the ACT and advise them as well that they are actually the ones responsible for activating the loans under the scheme.

We have provided a comprehensive response—$2 billion—and this is only made possible because of— (Time expired)