Category: Australian News

The Albanese Labor Government is building Australia’s future, delivering on commitments to First Nations people to help close the gap in partnership with peak bodies, states, territories and local government.

Today, the Government releases the Commonwealth’s 2024 Closing the Gap Annual Report and 2025 Implementation Plan.

The 2024 Annual Report outlines the actions the Albanese Government has taken over the past year to deliver on the outcomes of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, focused on creating jobs and economic empowerment for remote communities, easing housing overcrowding and improving safety.

In 2024, the Commonwealth Government: 

• Commenced the new Remote Jobs and Economic Development Program, which will create up to 3,000 jobs in remote communities over three years.
• Expanded the Indigenous Rangers Program to create 1,000 new jobs, including 770 positions for First Nations women.
• Released the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy, to maximise the nation-wide potential for First Nations people to benefit from the clean energy transformation.
• Introduced legislation to expand the role and remit of Indigenous Business Australia to boost First Nations economic empowerment.
• Built more than 200 new homes in remote communities in the Northern Territory as part of our 10-year goal to halve overcrowding.
• Expanded access to affordable PBS medicines for more First Nations people.
• Opened the first of up to 30 dialysis units in regional and remote locations so First Nations people can receive treatment closer to home and on Country.
• Welcomed over 300 enrolments in the First Nations Health Worker Traineeship Program.
• Significantly increased funding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services and Family Violence Prevention Legal Services to help more women and children escaping family, domestic and sexual violence.
• Established a dedicated National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People, to address the over-representation of First Nations children and youth in out-of-home care and detention.
• Invested in 27 community-led justice reinvestment initiatives in First Nations communities across Australia.
• Expanded the Connected Beginnings program to 50 communities, supporting more First Nations children to thrive in their crucial early years.
• The 2025 Implementation Plan outlines our strategy for the year ahead, focussing on easing cost of living pressures and improving food security in remote communities, delivering the next steps of our economic empowerment agenda, and continuing to improve outcomes for First Nations people.

We’ve already announced an $842 million, six-year partnership with the Northern Territory Government and Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory to deliver essential services for remote communities, including policing, women’s safety, health and education.

In 2025, the Commonwealth will also invest in a range of new measures to:

• Reduce the costs of 30 essential products in more than 76 remote stores to help ease cost of living pressures and improve food security in remote communities.
• Build a nutrition workforce in remote communities by upskilling up to 120 local First Nations staff in remote stores.
• Roll out new laundries or upgrade existing facilities in 12 remote First Nations communities, to help improve long-term health outcomes.
• Strengthen the Indigenous Procurement Policy to boost opportunities for First Nations businesses to grow and create jobs.
• Increase opportunities for First Nations Australians to buy their own home and build intergenerational wealth through a boost to Indigenous Business Australia’s Home Loan Capital Fund.
• Establish a place-based business coaching and mentoring program for First Nations businesswomen and entrepreneurs.
• Increase the availability of culturally safe and qualified mental health support including scholarships for up to 150 First Nations psychology students.
• Continue to deliver critical prevention, early intervention and response services to address family, domestic and sexual violence in high need First Nations communities.
• Extend the Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme for an additional two years to support Stolen Generations survivors.
• Continue digitisation of at-risk audio and video collections held by First Nations broadcasters and community organisations by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies.

These new measures will build on what we are already committed to delivering over 2025, including: 

• Build an additional 270 new houses across 40 remote Northern Territory communities and Alice Springs town camps to help reduce overcrowding.
• Increase access to culturally safe maternal care through 10 Birthing on Country activities across rural, remote and very remote locations to improve healthy birthweights and reduce pre-term births.
• Remove the Child Care Subsidy Activity Test, guaranteeing 100 hours of subsidised early childhood education and care per fortnight for First Nations children.
• Transition more health programs to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-control, because we know community-led services achieve better results.
• Create up to 210 First Nations health care positions to improve cancer outcomes for First Nations people.
• Provide prison to employment mentoring in up to 15 locations, helping people reconnect with health, housing and other social services, to improve employment outcomes and reduce risk of re-offending.
• Deliver free community wide Wi-Fi to 23 remote First Nations communities, in partnership with NBN Co.  

Read the Commonwealth Closing the Gap 2024 Annual Report and 2025 Implementation Plan at Closing the Gap

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“We are working in partnership with States, Territories and peak organisations to Close the Gap.

“We are delivering record funding in health, education and housing, as well as $842 million to fund essential services in remote communities.

“Australians want to close the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. Australians believe in the fair go.

“The task before us is to build a future in which all Australians have access to the same opportunities.”

Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy:

“The Albanese Labor Government is getting on with the job of delivering for First Nations people.

“We are focused on creating jobs with decent conditions in remote Australia, addressing housing overcrowding, supporting healthy children and safe families, and community driven responses to address the causes of crime.

“In 2025 we are building on these investments, focused on easing cost of living pressures in remote communities, our long-term economic empowerment agenda and even greater effort to improve living conditions and wellbeing.

“Through the Joint Council on Closing the Gap we are creating systemic change to improve the way we work with First Nations Australians, the Coalition of Peaks and State and Territory Governments, to ensure policies and programs are community-led and self-determined to provide the best opportunity for success.”

Lead Convenor of the Coalition of Peaks, Pat Turner AM:

“Closing the Gap is not just policy; it is the intentional pursuit to make life better for our people and for the generations that come after us. We will hold governments and ourselves accountable until we achieve real, lasting change.

“While we know that the full impact of the changes we are making will take time to materialise, the National Agreement has already begun to show results. The most recent data from the Productivity Commission’s dashboard highlights progress.

“For the first time, 5 out of 19 targets are on track. We have seen improvements in critical areas such as the proportion of First Nations babies born at a healthy weight and the increase in the land and sea country under Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander control. These are significant achievements that deserve recognition.

“For the implementation to be successful, systems, policies, and governance must evolve. Government must evolve. It is our responsibility, in partnership with governments, to strengthen the policies that are working and change the ones that are failing – those that continue to exclude the basic needs of our people.” 

Today I announce the appointment of Professor Mimi Tang as the inaugural Chair of the ASEAN-Australia Centre Advisory Board.

The ASEAN-Australia Centre was launched in November 2024, as part of the Albanese Government’s ongoing work to deepen engagement with Southeast Asia and support the implementation of Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040.

The Centre’s programs and activities will strengthen Australia’s partnership with ASEAN and increase business, cultural and community connections. Professor Tang is an internationally recognised immunologist allergist and is a leading expert in food oral immunotherapy. She is Head of the Allergy Immunology Research Group and Director of the Allergy Translation Centre at Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Professorial Fellow at the University of Melbourne Department of Paediatrics and Consultant Immunologist Allergist at Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital.

Professor Tang is also CEO and Scientific Founder of Prota Therapeutics, a biotech startup that is developing a novel treatment for peanut allergy. Her pioneering research has transformed the way food allergies are managed in children.

Professor Tang’s ties to Southeast Asia are strong. She was born in Singapore and spent her early childhood in Malaysia before moving to Australia in primary school. She credits her family’s move to Australia to her father’s involvement as a Malaysian participant of the original Colombo Plan.

Professor Tang’s personal and professional ties to Southeast Asia, combined with her research and business expertise will enable her to make a strong contribution to the ASEAN-Australia Centre.

Senator Mehreen Faruqi,  Australian Greens Deputy Leader and Higher Education Spokesperson, is pleased to join students, academics, the Jewish Council of Australia, and Australia Palestine Advocacy Network to support a People’s Inquiry into Campus Free Speech on Palestine. This follows over a year of universities silencing students and staff participating in peaceful protests and calling for an end to Israel’s genocide and occupation of Palestine. 

The Inquiry itself will invite submissions from the public and will be conducted by a panel of academics and a student representative. The Terms of Reference for the Inquiry and how to make submissions can be found here. 

Senator Mehreen Faruqi: 

“It’s an honour to join students, activists, academics and lawyers APAN and JCA to support this vitally important People’s Inquiry into Campus Free Speech on Palestine.

“Since the genocide in Gaza began, students and staff at universities have led the way in calling out and rallying against Israel’s war crimes and atrocities, and now they are taking the lead on the behaviour of universities towards these staff and students.   

“I am inspired by their courage and compassion that is so clearly lacking in our complicit government and institutions.

“University campuses should be political spaces where students and staff are encouraged to speak out on issues of social, racial and environmental justice, not shut down.

“Yet, time and time again universities have resorted to harsh measures to silence dissent when it comes to justice for Palestine, one of the world’s most important moral litmus tests.

“From draconian anti-protest policies and police interventions to surveillance, suspensions and disciplinary actions, university management has used every trick in the book to stifle activism.

“These attacks on campus activism and free speech are a direct assault on the right to protest and the values of anti-imperialism and justice. 

“The repression faced by students and staff is an attack on all who value human rights, and this inquiry will be vital in shining a light on this. 

“Israel has obliterated every university in Gaza. And yet Australian universities have been woefully silent about these horrors,and in fact, many have partnerships and investments in major arms manufacturers which contributed to and profited from Israel’s genocide in Gaza.”

Dr Max Kaiser, Executive Officer, Jewish Council of Australia:

“Universities should be spaces of open inquiry and debate, not censorship and repression. The crackdown on students and staff who speak up for Palestinian rights is a clear violation of free speech and academic freedom. 

“This inquiry is an important step in documenting these injustices and ensuring that universities uphold their responsibilities to protect political expression, not suppress it.”

the Australian Palestine Advocacy Network:

“The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) fully supports the People’s Inquiry into Campus Free Speech on Palestine.

“Across the continent, students and staff have faced censorship, intimidation and disciplinary measures simply for speaking up about Palestine, and objecting to Israeli genocide. Meanwhile, political leaders, the media and even a Senate inquiry have sought to conflate advocacy for Paelstinians with antisemitism.

“The People’s inquiry is a critical pushback by and for the people against the suppression of free speech and the criminalisation of solidarity with Palestinians. Advocating for an end to Israel’s decades of oppression of Palestinians is not hate speech – it is a fight for justice and liberation.

“APAN stands with all those resisting repression and urges anyone who has faced discrimination or witnessed injustices against people speaking out for Palestine to make their voices heard in this inquiry.”

Professor Linda Briskman, Inquiry Panel Member and social work academic:

“The inquiry has potential to challenge the relentless campaigning against academic freedom and freedom of speech. The voices of those who support the rights of Palestinians need to be heard and not suppressed.” 

James McVicar, Inquiry Panel Member and Education Officer for the National Union of Students:

“We are seeing serious attacks on freedom of speech and protest on university campuses around the country. University managements love to invoke the history of protests for social justice on their campuses while they are taking steps to ensure such things never happen again.”

The Minns Labor Government has announced that temporary youth bail law changes will be extended from 12 months to 4 years, with data showing 80% of young people charged with certain offences have been refused bail since March last year. The youth bail law changes were opposed by civil society organisations in March last year, including the NSW Bar Association, the Law Society of NSW, and the Aboriginal Legal Service.

Greens MP and spokesperson for justice Sue Higginson said “It’s entirely unsurprising that young people being denied bail for certain offences has shot up to 80%, that’s exactly what Premier Chris Minns wanted these laws to do and he knew it would mean more young people in prison,”

“When the Minns Labor Government introduced knee jerk youth bail changes to the NSW Parliament last year, the move was condemned by legal and youth justice advocacy organisations across NSW. The changes were not designed to reduce crime, they were only designed to make the Government appear tough on crime,”

“The commitment of additional funds by the Minns Labor Government for support and diversion programs, particularly to Aboriginal Controlled Organisations, is very welcome and long overdue. However, the Minns Labor Government’s response is wrongly based on the further criminalisation of young people through police led operations, over policing, the refusal of bail and incarceration, further entrenching cycles of criminality which undermines all of the community’s good work. It is the antithesis of community led initiative and response, actual diversion from the criminal justice system and therapeutic responses, which we know is what’s needed to actually prevent the behaviours that led to offensive behaviour,”

“Both the Bar Association and the Law Society wrote to the Government when these changes were introduced, calling for them to be withdrawn or amended – Premier Minns ignored those calls and pushed ahead regardless. 12 months later, we are in exactly the situation that the Premier was warned about, more young First Nations people in prison, and no clear reduction in the rate of offending,”

“These laws operate contrary to international agreements and NSW law on the treatment of young people. They intentionally target vulnerable young people and apply a harsher penalty to children over adults – it was unacceptable then and it’s unconscionable that Premier Minns is now going to extend it for three years,”

“The Government is driving higher crime rates and higher recidivism through this populist law and order agenda, that’s what the evidence tells us. I am concerned that he is now throwing more money into a system that simply will not work and the community and all of the incredibly hard working carers and service providers will be blamed. The only way to truly reduce crime is to invest in diversionary programs and keep young people out of the criminal justice system wherever possible,” Ms Higginson said.

The Albanese and Northern Territory Governments, together with the Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory (APO NT), have signed a landmark Partnership Agreement to strengthen service delivery in remote First Nations communities in the Northern Territory.

The Albanese Government will commit $842.6 million over 6 years to deliver the Northern Territory Remote Aboriginal Investment (NTRAI).

The funding will:

• Continue to deliver essential services for remote communities including policing, women’s safety, education and alcohol harm reduction;
• Increase funding for Aboriginal interpreter services and deliver new funding for community development, mediation and peacekeeping activities;
• Continue to fund hearing and oral health services;
• Strengthen support for Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and enable the transition of services from government to community-control over time;
• Empower remote Aboriginal communities by establishing and funding local groups in up to eight locations that will design and deliver services for community, in community, by community. This includes support for communities to navigate and access economic development and employment opportunities.
• Fund up to twelve Aboriginal Community Controlled Children and Family Centres to provide coordinated solutions to complex issues relating to family safety and child development.

The commitment will offer certainty for over 570 jobs, including more than 278 jobs for First Nations Territorians, and ensure remote First Nations communities can access the services needed to Close the Gap.

The Albanese Government will work in partnership with the NT Government and APO NT to oversee delivery of the Partnership Agreement, ensuring it drives Priority Reforms and improves socio-economic outcomes under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“Australians want to close the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. Australians believe in the fair go.

The task before us is to build a future in which all Australians have access to the same opportunities.

“My Government remains determined to seek better results for Indigenous Australians and help Close the Gap.”

Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro

“The Northern Territory Government welcomes the renewal of this important funding agreement.

“This funding supports essential services in remote communities, including $205.9 million for our remote policing efforts.

“All Territorians have a right to be safe from violence and ensuring for remote communities are effectively policed benefits the entire Territory.”

Minister for Indigenous Australians Senator Malarndirri McCarthy

“The Albanese Government is committed to working in genuine partnership with First Nations people in the Northern Territory to deliver better outcomes in line with the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

“This investment will ensure remote First Nations communities have access to the critical services they need, while supporting communities to lead in their economic and social development.”

“Partnering with Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory will ensure critical services are informed by the perspectives of Aboriginal people living in remote parts of the Territory and strengthen the capacity of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations to deliver services in remote areas.

“We know the most effective solutions come from local communities. That’s why the Albanese Government will continue to work with the NT Government, APO NT and First Nations communities to develop the services that work best for these communities.”

Northern Territory Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Steven Edgington

“This agreement represents a practical approach to delivering our shared commitment to Closing the Gap in the Territory.

“Importantly, it empowers bush communities to have a more active role in community development and decision-making processes.  

“The increased investment in remote women’s safe houses will help to provide additional culturally appropriate support required to protect victims and survivors of abuse.

“Under the new agreement, important existing services like remote policing, alcohol harm reduction, Aboriginal Teacher Training and the Aboriginal Interpreter Service will continue.”

Federal Member for Lingiari Marion Scrymgour

“Remote communities are the lifeblood of the Northern Territory. They are places of deep connection to Country, culture and community.

“I am proud to be part of a government that is committed to improving the liveability of Northern Territory’s remote Aboriginal communities.

“As the federal member of one of the most remote electorates in Australia, with a land mass of over 1.3 million km2 and the highest proportion of Indigenous people, I congratulate the Albanese Labor Government on this substantial investment.

“I am confident the future pipeline of funds committed through this Partnership Agreement will make significant contributions to enhancing the social and economic well-being of the more than 70 remote communities that I represent.”

Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory Convenor, Dr John Paterson

“Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory (APO NT) welcomes this significant commitment from the Albanese Labor Government.

“Investing in Aboriginal self-determination to Close the Gap in the Northern Territory will deliver vital services and programs for our mob in the bush.

“APO NT will work in partnership with Governments to make sure this funding hits the ground where it is really needed, and we commit to strengthening this partnership over the next six years.

“Programs and supports funded through this investment go to the heart of what Aboriginal Territorians have advocated for decades.

“Aboriginal people hold the knowledge needed to improve outcomes for our people and communities.

“This investment and commitment from Governments is another step in the right direction toward enabling true self-determination for Aboriginal Territorians.”

The Australian Government has imposed counter-terrorism financing sanctions on the white supremacist terrorist network Terrorgram, as part of our ongoing work to combat antisemitism and keep Australians safe.

Terrorgram is an online network that promotes white supremacy and racially-motivated violence.

It is now a criminal offence to use or deal with the assets of, or make assets available to, Terrorgram.

Penalties include up to 10 years’ imprisonment and/or heavy fines.

It is the first time any Australian Government has imposed counter-terrorism financing sanctions on an entity based entirely online.

The Australian Government has also re-listed for counter-terrorism financing sanctions four other entities that promote nationalist and racist violent extremist ideologies: National Socialist Order, the Russian Imperial Movement, Sonnenkrieg Division and The Base.

This demonstrates the Albanese Government’s commitment to disrupting the activities of terrorists and violent extremists and preventing them from recruiting and radicalising people online.

There is no place in Australia for antisemitism, hatred or violence.

The Australian Government has also imposed sanctions on Hizballah’s new Secretary-General and a leading spokesperson for the terrorist group, Mr Naim Qassem.

Hizballah is responsible for the deaths of countless civilians in Lebanon, Israel and across the Middle East.

One person and another four entities have also been re-listed for counter-terrorism financing sanctions.

A consolidated list of sanctions is available on the Department of Foreign Affairs website.

Today marks one year since Australian citizen, Dr Yang Jun, received a suspended death sentence in Beijing.

The past year, and the five years of detention before his sentencing, have been a difficult and dark time for Dr Yang. Throughout, he has demonstrated his inner strength and remarkable resilience.

Today, my thoughts are with Dr Yang, his family and his many loved ones.

The Australian Government has made clear to China that we remain appalled by Dr Yang’s suspended death sentence. We hold serious concerns about Dr Yang’s health and conditions. We continue to press to ensure his needs are met and he receives appropriate medical care.

Dr Yang is entitled to basic standards of justice, procedural fairness and humane treatment, in accordance with international norms and China’s legal obligations.

In his communication with the Government, Dr Yang has made clear he knows he has the support of his country. We want to see him reunited with his family. The Government will continue to advocate for Dr Yang at every opportunity.

The WA Greens have committed to ambitious social and affordable housing targets in the next term of Parliament, including building, converting or purchasing a minimum of 5,000 every single year.

The plan, announced by Dr Brad Pettitt at Shelter WA’s housing forum last night, also includes a minimum 10% social and affordable housing in every new private development and 50% in every new housing development on government-owned land.

The Greens are the only party who have publicly backed the bold, evidence-based targets in Shelter WA’s 2025 State Election Platform.

The plan will cost $2.5 billion annually to deliver at least 5,000 new social and affordable homes every year.

WA Greens MLC Dr Brad Pettitt:

“Everyone deserves a roof over their heads, and a safe place to call home. Whether renting or buying, our housing system should prioritise people over profit.

“Unlike Labor, Liberal and the Nationals, only the Greens have listened to the experts and are willing to put a target next to our plan to solve the housing crisis that is grounded in evidence.

“That’s why I announced last night that the Greens will commit to building, converting or buying at least 5,000 new social and affordable homes every year in line with Shelter WA’s 2025 election platform.

“Every new housing development, whether it’s privately developed or built on government-owned land, should include social and affordable housing. There is no justification not to have these targets in place.

“By outright purchasing the 10% minimum social and affordable housing off the plan on new private developments, the government can kill two birds with one stone; increase the state’s social and affordable housing stock and speed up construction of new housing developments.

“This is such a breathtakingly simple solution and yet the WA Labor government has refused to even consider it for the last four years.

“We need bold, urgent and evidence-based action to ensure every Western Australian has a secure and affordable place to call home; over the last 8 years WA has gone backwards on almost every housing metric, we can’t tinker around the edges any longer.”

Greens early childhood education spokesperson Senator Steph Hodgins-May has slammed the Labor and Liberal parties for teaming up to defer the childcare subsidy activity test reform bill, which will now go to an inquiry that reports next month.

The Greens say this delay tactic is a complete betrayal to families and children across Australia.  

Just this week, Labor backpedalled on promises for new nature laws and a gambling ad ban. 

Now they’re ditching their commitment to universal early childhood education by delaying reforms to the childcare subsidy activity test. 

Australian Greens early childhood education spokesperson, Senator Steph Hodgins-May:

“The Greens were ready to work with Labor and get this bill passed this sitting fortnight, which may be the last chance before an election is called.

“Instead, Labor supported the Liberals in pushing this bill off to a Senate inquiry that won’t be finished until late March, effectively ruining its chances before the election.

“We don’t need an inquiry. We already have clear evidence that the childcare subsidy activity test needs reform from the Productivity Commission, multiple expert reports and from children’s and family advocates.

“We want to see relief for parents and families delivered before the election, and we want to see vulnerable kids able to access early childhood education. Only days ago we heard that Labor did too, but they have backflipped in a betrayal of children and families across the country. 

“The childcare subsidy activity test is a Morrison-era relic that unfairly punishes families from the most disadvantaged backgrounds. The Greens want to see its abolition entirely but we were prepared to support the Government’s first step, scrapping it for three days per week. We know this reform is too important to be left to a potential Coalition government.

“While parents continue to struggle in a cost of living crisis, Labor and the Coalition simply don’t have the courage to take real action.

“The Greens won’t give up on universal, free early childhood education and care. With the Greens in the balance of power, we’ll fight to keep Dutton out of government and push Labor to get it done.”

An $8 million Community Relief Fund, jointly funded by the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments, is now available to councils impacted by flooding and severe weather, to allow them to kick off essential and immediate recovery activities.

Funding of up to $1 million per Local Government Area is available for Burdekin, Cassowary Coast, Charters Towers, Hinchinbrook, Palm Island, Townsville, Whitsunday and Yarrabah Councils.

The package, funded under Category C of the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), will provide timely and immediate support to impacted councils to remove waste and debris, clean-up properties, community facilities, playground and parks, and undertake other make safe activities as required by council to progress with local recovery.

The latest funding follows disaster assistance already provided by the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments in the wake of the devastating floods, including Personal Hardship Assistance payments to eligible residents and counter disaster assistance funding for councils.

Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements activated so far:

Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme

• Emergency Hardship Assistance Grants – $180 per person, up to $900 for a family of five or more to purchase immediate essentials like food, clothing and medicine.
• Essential Services Hardship Assistance – $150 per person, up to $750 for a family of five or more to assist with immediate needs following the loss of essential services at home for more than five consecutive days.
• Essential Household Contents Grants – up to $1,765 for individuals and up to $5,300 for couples or families to replace destroyed essential household contents such as bed linen and white goods.
• Structural Assistance Grants – up to $80,000 for uninsured, income-tested owner-occupiers towards the repair or replacement of a disaster damaged dwelling to return it to a safe and habitable condition.

Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme

• Income-tested grants to help uninsured residents reconnect damaged services like electricity, gas, water or sewerage. Up to $5,000 per household.

Disaster Assistance Loans and Essential Working Capital Loans for Primary producers, small businesses and not-for profits

• Disaster Assistance Loans up to $250,000 for eligible primary producers and small businesses and up to $100,000 for eligible not-for-profits will help re-establish operations by covering costs relating to repairing or replacing damaged plant and equipment, repairing or replacing buildings or resupplying stock or livestock.
• Essential Working Capital Loans up to $100,000 are available to help operators carry on business operations, including paying salaries or wages, creditors, rent or rates
• Current NQ localities activated: Burdekin, Cairns, Cassowary Coast, Hinchinbrook, Palm Island, Townsville, Yarrabah.

Current NQ localities activated for the DRFA Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme:

• Burdekin: Airdmillan, Barratta, Carstairs, Cromarty, Giru, Groper Creek, Horseshoe Lagoon, Inkerman, Jarvisfield, Jerona, Majors Creek, Mona Park, Mount Surround, Rita Island, Shirbourne, Upper Haughton.
  • Cairns: Gordonvale (targeted areas).
  • Cassowary Coast: Cardwell, Damper Creek, Ellerbeck, Kennedy.
  • Hinchinbrook: Entire LGA
  • Palm Island: Entire LGA
  • Townsville: Alligator Creek, Arcadia, Balgal Beach, Black River, Blue Hills, Bluewater, Bluewater Park, Cape Cleveland, Clemant, Cluden, Crystal Creek, Cungulla, Florence Bay, Gumlow, Hermit Park, Horseshoe Bay, Idalia, Lynam, Majors Creek, Mutarnee, Nelly Bay, Nome, Oonoonba, Paluma, Picnic Bay, Railway Estate, Rollingstone, Rosslea, Saunders Beach, South Townsville, Stuart, Toolakea, Toomulla, West Point and Yabulu.

Current NQ councils activated for DRFA assistance to support their counter disaster operations and the reconstruction of essential public assets:

• Burdekin, Cairns, Cassowary Coast, Charters Towers, Hinchinbrook, Palm Island, Tablelands, Townsville, Whitsunday, Yarrabah

For more information please visit Funding Programs.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“In the worst of times we see the best of Australians.

“We’ve seen that in recent days in Queensland, with Australians helping one another in their time of need.

“My Government will make sure this region gets all the support it needs to get back on its feet.”

Quotes attributable to Queensland Premier David Crisafulli:

“Queenslanders can be confident all levels of government were working to deliver the support needed today and in the months ahead. 

“Natural disasters leave their mark and while the road to recovery is long, these communities won’t be walking it alone, we won’t stop until the job is done.

“Support is flowing now and will continue as we work tirelessly to ensure the recovery process delivers what is needed for these communities.”

Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister:

“Councils across North Queensland are doing a remarkable job on the frontline, keeping communities safe.

“I’ve been incredibly grateful for the excellent advice and reports I’ve received from mayors in this region over the past week. I am so thankful for their work supporting their communities.

“This funding supports councils to continue prioritising community safety in the wake of the floods.

“The severe rainfall and flooding has had an immense impact on the region with large amount of debris, silt and waste that requires immediate clean-up to protect the health of communities.

“The Albanese Government will continue working hand in glove with the Queensland Government to support impacted communities through this event and into recovery.”

Queensland Minister for Disaster Recovery Ann Leahy:

“Given the enormous toll across communities, providing timely government support is paramount.

“We’re working closely with all impacted councils to understand and meet the unique and often complex recovery needs of each community.

“The Queensland Reconstruction Authority has dedicated officers supporting all local governments affected across the north and will make sure the full benefits of this support package and others are extended to flooded areas of the region.”