CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS
Ms KARA COOK (Bonner) (16:43): Today marks the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, a reminder that the best time to prepare for a disaster is, of course, long before it strikes. In South-East Queensland, that message couldn't be any more timely. As we enter the high-risk weather season, Brisbane is facing high temperatures, severe thunderstorms, heavy rainfall and hail this week.
In light of the rain we've had there today, I'm waiting at the moment to hear from my local netball club about whether my daughter will be playing tonight. In Bonner, we know the devastating impacts of extreme weather. From the 2022 floods to ex-tropical-cyclone Alfred last year—as a community, we loaded thousands of sandbags into cars at the Lota depot over the weeks that led up to that disaster—we've seen roads and homes inundated, power losses for days and local businesses left picking up the pieces.
That's why the Albanese Labor government is taking practical steps to strengthen Australia's disaster preparedness. Through our $1 billion Disaster Ready Fund, we're investing in programs that help communities withstand future disasters. We're delivering AusAlert, a new national emergency warning system designed to get critical information to Australians faster.
Of course, we've also confirmed last week that the Commonwealth will continue to deliver up to 75 per cent of eligible disaster recovery funding, with no changes to the existing arrangements, ahead of this higher risk weather season. But disaster resilience starts at home, too. I encourage everyone across Bonner to access the preparedness resources through the National Emergency Management Agency, of course also monitor the Bureau of Meteorology warnings and have an emergency plan in place, because we can't control the weather, but we can make sure that our communities are ready when it turns.
Every day, thousands of people across Bonner go to work looking after someone else. Today, the Albanese Labor government announced a $630 million investment to support fairer pay for more than 460,000 health, disability and community services workers. These increases follow the Fair Work Commission decisions, supported by Labor's reforms, putting gender equality at the heart of our workplace laws.
We know that overwhelmingly it's women in these roles. In Bonner, I've already seen the difference that these workers make across so many disability services, our child care services and our domestic violence support services. They are skilled, dedicated workers, whose contribution is absolutely essential.
They deserve fair pay, they deserve our respect and they deserve our recognition because caring for others isn't worth less simply because it's a job traditionally done by women.