Tammy Tyrrell (Tasmania, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is for the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Senator McCarthy. In July this year the mayors of King Island and Flinders Island came to Canberra to lobby Labor for a review of the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme. Residents on both islands are paying through the nose for groceries, and farmers are on the brink. This is because of high freight costs in a scheme that hasn't been updated in decades. Labor members promised the mayors that a review of the scheme, specifically for the islands, would take place. Minister, can you tell me what's happening with this review?

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Tyrrell for the question. In terms of that particular review, Senator Tyrrell, I will need to seek some further advice to see where that is up to. When all the mayors came here in July this year it was really good to have the mayors from right across Australia, especially those from Tasmania, here to see us. I'd like to remind the Senate that it was this government, the Labor government, that actually invited local government back to Canberra. For 10 years we did not see local government represented here, and it was the Albanese Labor government that bought the third tier of the democratic system of Australia back to this parliament.

I think it's an important question from Senator Tyrrell. In fact, it's like all things that we're doing for Tasmania—and I just want to add this to Senator Tyrrell's question. Tasmanians are saving over $24.6 million thanks to Labor's cheaper medicines, including over $5.4 million saved in Braddon alone. We're delivering free TAFE, and 3,255 Tasmanian students enrolled in a fee-free TAFE place in 2023 alone.

Don't you want to hear about Tasmania, Senator Duniam? I thought that, as you come from Tasmania, you would like to hear this. I thought you would be interested in hearing all of these things about Tasmania. We're helping more people in regional Australia into homeownership.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister McCarthy, please resume your seat. Senator McGrath, almost any time a minister has been on their feet today I've had to call you to order. Obviously you're keen to make a contribution. Please find that opportunity outside of question time—equally, Senator Duniam.

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Duniam, we've opened four Medicare urgent care clinics in Tasmania.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Environment, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I didn't ask the question!

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Duniam! Order!

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

He did interrupt. He did interject. I figured that, being a Tasmanian senator, Senator Duniam, you'd love to hear those things.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Tyrrell, first supplementary?

Tammy Tyrrell (Tasmania, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thanks for inviting local government back, then. The Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme review team was supposed to visit Flinders Island in September, but the trip was cancelled and the mayor hasn't heard anything since. No-one has called either the King Island mayor or the Flinders Island mayor to explain what's happening with the review that was promised. Why hasn't—

Carol Brown (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That's not even true.

Tammy Tyrrell (Tasmania, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Well, that's come from Rachel and Marcus. Why hasn't anyone bothered to call them?

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Tyrrell, I will certainly take that on notice for you, if you like, and reach out to those mayors in Tasmania to let them know that we have heard their call, through you, and they will be hearing from our government.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Tyrrell, second supplementary?

Tammy Tyrrell (Tasmania, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme is a major issue for Tasmania, especially for King and Flinders islands. It's why the cost of living is so high on those islands and it's why the mayors advocated so passionately for a review. Does this broken promise and lack of communication show how little Labor cares about fixing the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme?

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can I just correct the senator on that. That is not the case in terms of the Albanese Labor government. We are here in terms of supporting our local governments across the country. I have said to Senator Tyrrell that I will take that question on notice. I certainly do reject outright that we are not helping in this instance, Senator Tyrrell, and I will come back to you on those questions.