I rise to support the member for Goldstein’s amendments in relation to the impacts of climate change on the basin. They seek to amend the Water Act to recognise and acknowledge the threat of climate change to the communities, environment and industries of the Murray-Darling Basin, and the need for immediate and urgent action in response.

My question is to Minister for Climate Change and Energy. In the May budget you committed $1 billion to provide low-cost loans for household energy efficiency. I’ve long called for this to help reduce energy bills. Five months after your announcement we’ve heard nothing. With bills higher than ever people in my electorate are really struggling. When will these loans actually be available so my constituents can start saving money?

We need a Murray-Darling Basin Plan that puts us on the front foot of these challenges, with a healthy river system that delivers for basin communities, for farmers, for First Nations people and for the environment, and is resilient in the face of a changing climate.

Our community deserves world-class healthcare, close to home. We deserve detail, transparency and genuine consultation. 

Yesterday, Australians including voters in Indi, comprehensively voted ‘No’ to recognition in our constitution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through a Voice to Parliament. While I am disappointed in the outcome, I am grateful that we have a democracy that allows every one of us to have our say.

The failure to properly consult with regional communities affected by large-scale renewable energy projects and transmission infrastructure risks delaying or derailing the transition to a decarbonised energy grid, according to Independent Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines.

People from the communities of Meadow Creek, the Strathbogie Ranges, Barnawartha and beyond had their say as part of a federal government review into community engagement processes for new renewable energy projects and associated infrastructure in a series of roundtable meetings held in Wangaratta on Wednesday.

“The housing crisis is the biggest issue facing regional Australia yet it is a complete blind spot for this Government. Almost one in three Australians live outside the big cities, yet I constantly have to remind this Government about how the housing crisis is impacting people in regional, rural and remote communities,” Dr Haines said.

Members of the government are keen to list the ways they’re addressing the housing crisis across Australia, but I do want to put a spotlight on what is missing from this discussion on housing.

‘Drop in and take off’—this is the catchcry at Al’s Skate Co, an indoor skate park in Wodonga.