QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Ms McBAIN (Eden-Monaro—Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories and Minister for Emergency Management) (15:13): Thanks to the member for Bass for that question, a really proud regional member of this place, just like the 24 other regional members on this side of the House, with more regional members than any other party in parliament at the moment.

This government is delivering for people living and working in regional Australia. Our government is supporting regional projects that grow, connect and enhance our regions. With more than 110 projects totalling $587 million, funded through the Growing Regions Program, and 64 projects valued at more than $323 million, funded so far through the Regional Precincts— Ms O'Neil interjecting— The SPEAKER: The Minister for Housing is yelling.

If she does it one more time, I will remove her from the chamber. I'm trying to hear the minister. The member has asked the question.

She's on a warning. The Treasurer is on a warning. If there's one noise out of them, they won't be here for the remainder of question time.

I want everyone to remain silent so I can hear the minister. Ms McBAIN: As I said, more than $323 million has been funded so far through our Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program. Just last week, we announced $45 million in funding through the latest round of our RPPP that included projects in rural and regional Western Australia, Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales and the Northern Territory.

This included $11 million to restore and revitalise the Gympie Civic Centre, welcomed by the member for Wide Bay, and $8 million to support tertiary education, housing and economic activity in central Albany. This side of the House is investing heavily in our regional and rural roads to keep communities safe and connected. We've doubled the Roads to Recovery Program to $1 billion annually.

We've created the Safer Local Roads Infrastructure Program, with at least $200 million available each year. We've increased blackspot funding from $110 million to $150 million annually. And we've provided nearly $320 million for safety upgrades for more than 500 rural roads.

During Rural Road Safety Month, in August, I announced $22.2 million for rural roads under the 2026-27 Black Spot program. That will see vital upgrades for roads identified by local communities in places like Palmers Channel, Kulnura, Macksville and Yass. The Black Spot program is being rolled out across the country each year.

The member for Bass is well aware of this because, in June, she was able to announce $563,000 for a much-needed roundabout in George Town. I am incredibly proud to say we've increased funding to local councils so that they can provide the particular services that our rural and regional communities need. In 2026-27, we provided $3.6 billion in financial assistance grants across the country, a five per cent increase on last year.

In contrast, those opposite froze financial assistance grants when they were last in government—ripping $1 billion away from every community across the country. That has had a huge impact on our regions, making it harder for councils to maintain roads, harder to maintain community infrastructure. Councils were forced to cut services like child care, roadworks and landfill.

We are delivering real change on this side of the House. Those opposite show that they will take every opportunity to rip money away from rural communities. Mr Albanese: Mr Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.