Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Davey, for your question and for your longstanding support for regional New South Wales. The Black Summer bushfires were one of the most devastating natural disasters we've seen in our nation's history. In such a time of desperation and loss, Australians came together to do whatever they could to assist these affected communities.

Our government is committed to standing side by side with communities as they recover from these devastating bushfires. Through the National Bushfire Recovery Fund and other bushfire recovery systems we have provided support to address immediate recovery needs. To date, $2.8 billion of Commonwealth support has been made available for recovery and 85 per cent of that has been delivered. This includes $1.7 billion delivered from the National Bushfire Recovery Fund, supporting locally-led efforts on the ground, because we know that locals know what's best for their community. Significant immediate assistance has been provided, including: nearly 5,000 bushfire damaged and destroyed properties being cleared; over 200,000 disaster recovery payments being made to individuals; over 88,000 payments of $400 made to assist with back-to-school expenses for families; over 27,000 grants and loans provided to small businesses and primary producers; and financial assistance provided to 3,200 volunteer firefighters. Of the numerous programs included under the National Bushfire Recovery Fund, one of the largest is the $700 million Local Economic Recovery Program being delivered in partnership with state governments. Nearly 400 successful projects have been announced to date, with more to come. In your home state of New South Wales, up to $2.4 million will construct a new multipurpose community facility in the Upper Lachlan Shire new visitor information and community centre. The facility will deliver additional services to the local community.