As taxpayers, is it too much to hope that our taxes are spent in the public interest and based on evidence, on a cost-benefit analysis or on where the need is greatest?

Dr Haines’ motion proposes the Government introduce legislation to reform grants administration. Such reforms would ensure grant guidelines and selection criteria are clear and publicly available, that public reporting on grants administration includes grants that are awarded contrary to advice given to the Minister, and a Parliamentary Joint Committee on Grants Administration would provide administrative oversight.

While the Housing Australia Investment Mandate briefly mentions the housing needs of regional, rural and remote Australia, the guidelines do not explicitly require money to be spent on regional, rural and remote housing projects.

Independent Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines has welcomed the announcement that a new bridge will be built on Indigo Creek Road, after the Federal Government awarded $1.24 million to the project through the Bridges Renewal Program.

What was on the table was not a good deal for regional Australia, and we have seen little progress and compromise by the European Union, so this was the right call for us.

My amendments further strengthen the inspector-general’s powers to make sure the states and projects are delivering.

Independent Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines has successfully amended the government’s Bill on the Murray Darling Basin Plan to improve accountability and support for impacted communities.

My amendment would provide a review of government support to affected communities. It would absolutely scrutinise the government’s support of communities, ensuring that it’s commensurate with impacts experienced, and meaningfully address their needs.

This amendment ensures that affected communities and landholders are adequately consulted about a constraints project affecting them, including the intended outcomes. Communities dissatisfied with basin state or Commonwealth efforts to engage with or compensate them on constraints projects should have avenues for recourse.

The purpose of this amendment is to ensure that water recovery undertaken by the government towards the 450-gigalitre target is strategic.