Ms Catherine King (Ballarat, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government) Share this | Hansard source

All households in regional Australia will see a $300 credit automatically applied to their electricity bill, and small businesses—something that those opposite might want to show some interest in—in the regions will receive $325 off their bills over 2024.

From cheaper medicines to HECS debt relief, we are helping regional Australians earn more and keep more of what they earn. But, also, there are our historic increases in funding to local councils for road safety and local road maintenance that will help ease pressure on ratepayers throughout the regions. We are increasing the Roads to Recovery funding from $500 million to a billion dollars—something those opposite never did in a decade. It is a baked-in permanent increase to every single council—not just selected councils on a colour coded spreadsheet but every single council across the country. It will ensure that local councils across our regions can increase their investment in local road infrastructure, easing the financial burden on ratepayers.

The reaction has been pretty good. Bellingen Shire Council said, 'The assurance of a permanent increase enables us to plan effectively and execute projects with greater foresight, free from the constraints of budget fluctuations.' Temora Shire Council said, 'This funding is a significant contribution to the enhancement and maintenance of our roads and will have a positive impact on our community.' Wyndham, in the East Kimberley, said, 'This funding is crucial to enhancing the safety and quality of our local roads.' While on this side of the House we are supporting regional Australia, those opposite are doing— (Time expired)

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