Thursday, 24 September 2026

 Gaelle BROAD (Northern Victoria) (12:50): (2663) My question is to the Minister for Emergency Services. The Northern Victoria Region covers nearly half of the state, and many local communities have felt the impact of natural disasters like floods and fires. As a member of the parliamentary inquiry into the Victorian floods of 2022, I want to highlight recommendation 73, which asked the government to report back to Parliament on progress made in implementing the recommendations. I ask the minister to provide an update, as many communities, like Rochester, have been left to wonder what has changed, and also respond to the committee inquiry report into the 2026 summer fires before the end of this parliamentary term. I again express concern at the proposed 50–50 cost-sharing Commonwealth disaster management reforms, and I note Gannawarra shire’s submission seeking assurances that rural and regional communities are not disadvantaged by the proposed changes to the nation’s disaster recovery arrangements. At times of natural disaster, regional communities cannot do it alone. We need community-enabled recovery, and that relies upon government support.