Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

Thanks, Senator Sheldon. Since October last year, we have seen flood events in Western Australia, the Northern Territory, South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania and Victoria. In the past 18 months, more than $1.8 billion in direct Commonwealth payments have been made to individuals and families impacted by natural disasters apart from those February New South Wales floods. We continue to work with the states and territories on a range of measures costing billions more to help these communities with their ongoing recovery.

As just one example—and I know that this is something that many Western Australians senators are familiar with—in the Kimberley region work is progressing on rebuilding the Fitzroy River Bridge, and we are working alongside the Cook government to deliver over $100 million to repair flood impacted homes, public housing and roads. The package also provides support for temporary accommodation for people who are displaced and accommodation facilities for people who are undertaking community recovery and clean-up. We'll keep working with these communities to ensure they get what they need. (Time expired)