The Australian Bushfire and Climate Plan makes 165 recommendations that together would transform the way we prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from bushfires, but we must first address the root cause of worsening bushfires

The first and the most important recommendation in the Australian Bushfire and Climate Plan is that the federal government must address the root cause of worsening bushfires – climate change

Bushfire recovery to date has been inadequate – the government must do better

I am supporting the Higher Education Support Amendment (Job-Ready Graduates and Supporting Regional and Remote Students) Bill 2020 because it has the qualified support of Indi’s regional universities, but it’s clear and glaring deficiencies cannot be ignored

The Australian Federal Integrity Commission is designed to be a constructive consensus bill that attracts the support of all my parliamentary colleagues, and present to the House a way forward on an integrity commission

Being smarter about how we use resources is not just an environmental but a jobs opportunity and a regional jobs opportunity. What would it look like if we got serious about growing jobs in recycling in regional Australia?

Migration will be crucial in the post-COVID recovery. When the borders open, we should prioritise partner visas – welcoming people who have chosen Australia as their new home into our regional communities.

The JobKeeper extension is very welcome, as it’s clear from business, welfare and community leaders that the pandemic is not over. But I am feeling more optimistic today that we have what we need in place to get through in a better state.

People in North East border communities have survived bushfires and the decimation of the summer tourism market. They survived the COVID-19 lockdown, twice. But it’s the border closures that could finish them off.

Indi projects should be front and centre as we look forward to building communities post the COVID restrictions.