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

I know that Senator Gallagher would have a lot to say if I were to reveal MYEFO commitments before the day itself. As I say, the actions that we have already taken in restoring to the ABC the funding cut by the former government and in locking in that guaranteed funding for five years for the ABC obviously will partially benefit the ABC's emergency broadcasting section in addition to its other services. But this is not the only thing that this government is doing to improve our preparedness for this disaster season. I've already said that this year we will have the largest-ever fleet of aerial firefighting planes that we've ever had in this country—around 500. We've obviously taken steps through our disaster ready fund, and, even in communications, we're well on the way to delivering a much better and faster messaging service for people in emergency situations as well.