David Littleproud (Maranoa, National Party, Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management) Share this | Hansard source

It was also with respect to the $4 billion that was set aside through the Regional Investment Corporation to allow farmers to refinance up to $2 million of their debt from banks into the Regional Investment Corporation with no interest and no repayments for two years, saving them up to $120,000 a year—taking it out of big banks' pockets and putting it back into farmers' pockets. It was also about the $5 billion Drought Future Fund, and the first dividend of $100 million will be paid out before the end of June. We will continue look for the next year as we stand here today. It was also the partnership we took with the Queensland government with respect to the north-western Queensland floods—I acknowledge them and the support they gave those people there in partnership with us. It was $100 million in direct support payments to those people that were impacted by those floods and over $300 million in terms of restocking and replanting grants to allow farmers to get a cash flow straightaway.

Then with the bushfires there has been over $2 billion committed. Before we started the $2 billion, there was $250 million directly put out in support payments to give dignity and respect to those victims. Now we continue to roll out the $1.2 billion with the last major tranche of that, with $450 million going towards local economic recovery plans, letting locals decide how they diversify their economic base and rebuild a more resilient community.

The biggest investment we've made across all those disasters is the nearly $130 million in mental health support. We are not just trying to rebuild communities; we are rebuilding lives. While we take up the royal commission's recommendation of a single national recovery agency, let me make it clear to all Australians that were impacted that our principles won't change. We will continue to support every Australian through their hour of need, no matter what.

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