Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

I'm pleased to advise that the Albanese and Cook governments are continuing to support the flood impacted communities in northern Western Australia. This is an area I know people like Senator Sterle, Senator Lines, Senator Dodson, Senator Pratt and Senator Payman have taken a very big interest in since these events occurred. Alongside the state government, we've delivered a range of measures to help recovery efforts, including housing; mental health assistance; support for local farmers, small businesses and Aboriginal corporations; and grants for environment and heritage funding. I can confirm that, as Senator Sterle observed just recently, the Fitzroy Crossing bridge reconstruction is well underway. The new bridge will be six times as strong, 100 metres longer and two lanes wide, and it will include a shared path for pedestrians and cyclists. One hundred and thirty-two local jobs have been created, with around a quarter of total crew hours worked attributed to Aboriginal people, and around $11 million has been committed to Aboriginal owned businesses in the area.