QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Ms CATHERINE KING (Ballarat—Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government) (14:21): Thanks very much to the member for the question. I too acknowledge both your and the member for Macquarie's advocacy on this. I understand this has had a really huge impact on the businesses, and I, again, thank you for drawing the House's attention to that.

I've been briefed regularly by New South Wales Minister Aitchison, as the NSW Government is managing the closure and the delivery of work. I can confirm that Minister Aitchinson has written directly to me seeking a Commonwealth funding contribution towards the project. We welcome the opportunity to partner with the NSW government, and I will have more to say very, very shortly.

The NSW Government has announced they will enter into an alliance contract with Seymour Whyte to deliver a new and more durable crossing at Mitchell's Causeway. Construction on parts of that has already started, and the road is expected to reopen in the second quarter of next year. The NSW Government, I understand, on Friday announced an expanded package of support for local businesses affected by the closure, including increasing grants up to $25,000 for the most impacted businesses and expanding eligibility for assistance.

I know they are acutely aware of the significance of the issue. These announcements are providing communities with some better certainty about what to expect in terms of the reopening. We do know that this is a very important issue for both of your electorates and the Blue Mountains community in particular, and we'll have more to say shortly.