Tania Lawrence (Hasluck, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Well, we'll find out from next year when the grant commences. There will be a far better process because we believe in integrity and transparency. That's how we'll deliver. The Housing Support Program is another $500 million competitive funding program for local and state governments that will kickstart housing supply. The Growing Regions Program has $600 million over three years that will provide grants of between $500,000 and $15 million to local government entities and not-for-profit organisations for capital works programs that deliver economic and community infrastructure projects across regional and rural Australia. Round 2 opens later this year, and the Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program, now at $400 million, will be open for applications to deliver regional precincts that are tailored to local needs.

The Growing Regions Program and the Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program won't apply to Hasluck because we are not regional, but they will apply to the seat of Gippsland. These are initiatives that the Albanese government backs in because it supports regional Australia. Instead of writing this motion, the member for Gippsland could have written to his constituents to tell them about the Growing Regions Program, to which not-for-profit community organisations and local governments in Gippsland can apply to fund small-capital projects that deliver social benefits and boost local community participation, including small-scale infrastructure upgrades, fit outs and equipment purchases. He can tell them that each federal electorate has a capped amount of $150,000 to fund up to 20 local projects. He can also assure them that, under an Albanese Labor government, the processes for application will be fair and transparent.

There are volunteer grants offered across all electorates to assist eligible not-for-profit community organisations supporting the efforts of their volunteers. Past successful groups in Hasluck, like the Mundaring Toy Library, CLAN—Community Link and Network—Midland, and the Ellenbrook Cultural Foundation have been able to extend and strengthen their connections and the work that they do in their local communities with the help of those volunteer grants. When our local groups applied for them, they had to fill out full applications. They had to follow the rules. They had to do everything by the book. They have every right to expect that their applications will be assessed and treated with the same level of honesty, transparency and proper process. Under this government, that's exactly what will happen. I thank the member Gippsland for bringing this courageous motion and allowing me to outline some of the government's initiatives which will assist people in both Gippsland and Hasluck as well as across the nation.

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