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Federal and NSW Labor will commit $25 million to an Emergency Operations Precinct in Moruya, including a much needed Emergency Operations Centre.
In a region stretching from Batemans Bay to the Victorian border, thousands of locals face bushfires and floods every year. They deserve to be protected by governments who plan ahead, prepare for the worst and respond quickly when disasters strike.
The Emergency Operations Precinct, to be based in Moruya, would include an Emergency Operations Centre to ensure the community is better prepared and protected from future bushfire and flood risks.
Currently, disaster response in the region is coordinated from separate sites, including a temporary facility in the local RSL hall.
A single, purpose-built operations centre will help local emergency services personnel plan for and respond to disasters more efficiently, potentially saving lives and properties across the region.
Reviews into the tragic 2019/2020 Black Summer bushfires have shown a purpose-built emergency services precinct is needed.
Federal Labor Leader, Anthony Albanese said, “Thousands of Australians who face bushfires, floods and cyclones every year deserve to be protected by a Federal Government who plans ahead and invests to keep them safe.
“These investments will literally save lives, not to mentioned the taxpayers’ funds that have to be spent on recovery and repairs when disasters hit.”
“In remembering the horrific summer of 2019/2020, we owe it to this community to ensure all possible resilience and protection efforts are taken to prevent those same experiences ever tearing a community apart again,” said NSW Labor leader Chris Minns.
“We may not be able to control natural disasters, but we do have the ability to minimise their impact and to ensure coordinated responses.”
Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips said, “For more than eight years the message from local residents, Eurobodalla Shire Council, emergency services workers and volunteers has been, whilst much loved, the Moruya RSL Hall is not fit for purpose as an emergency management centre.
“Labor’s commitment will ensure that locals are better protected from the natural disasters we know are coming.”
Dr Michael Holland, NSW Labor candidate for Bega said, “This precinct will be critical in providing support to emergency services and the community the next time natural disasters strike.
“But, it should not have to take a by-election for the NSW Government to act. This community deserves better”.
Labor’s commitment stands in stark contrast to the Morrison Government’s failure to plan for future disasters.
In 2019, the Morrison Government established a $4 billion Emergency Response Fund (ERF), which has since earned over $750 million in interest, but has not built a single disaster prevention project.
Only Labor will build a better future for disaster prone communities.

The Morrison Government will invest an additional $1 billion in protecting the Great Barrier Reef, while supporting 64,000 Queenslanders and their jobs which drive the Reef economy.
New funding will back world leading marine science, the deployment of new climate adaptation technology, major investments in water quality programs, and state of the art on-water management practices to reduce threats from Crown of Thorns Starfish, protect key species and prevent illegal fishing.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the new investment would extend the Federal Government’s investment under the Reef 2050 Plan to more than $3 billion.
“We are backing the health of the reef and the economic future of tourism operators, hospitality providers and Queensland communities that are at the heart of the reef economy,” Prime Minister Morrison said.
“This is already the best managed reef in the world and today we take our commitment to a new level.
“Funding will support scientists, farmers and Traditional Owners, backing in the very latest marine science while building resilience and reducing threats from pollution in our oceans and predators such as the Crown of Thorns starfish.”
The additional $1 billion package over the next nine years includes:

• $579.9 million for water quality – working constructively with land managers to remediate erosion, improve land condition and reduce nutrient and pesticide runoff.
• $252.9 million for reef management and conservation – additional support for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to reduce threats from Crown of Thorns Starfish (COTS), implement advanced health monitoring systems and the prevent illegal fishing.
• $92.7 million to research and deploy world leading reef resilience science and adaptation strategies.
• $74.4 million for Traditional Owner and community-led projects including species protection, habitat restoration, citizen science programs and marine debris.

Environment Minister Sussan Ley said the record level of investment in the Reef was being driven by the best science and engagement with local communities and industries, and through working with Traditional Owners.
“From breakthrough science in coral seeding and restoration, to improved water quality, the latest on water management and compliance systems, as well as the protection of native species, we are working across every aspect of the reef,” Minister Ley said.
“Our farmers, tourism operators, and fishers are our reef champions and we are supporting them through practical water and land based strategies that will contribute significantly to the health of the reef.”
Federal Member for Leichhardt and Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef Warren Entsch said the Morrison Government was working hand in hand with Reef communities.
“The people in Cairns and Far North Queensland care about the Reef more than anyone,” Mr Entsch said.
“Our tourism operators, local communities and Traditional Owners are invested in the health of the Reef and this funding supports their commitment and the future of the world’s greatest natural wonder.
“The Reef is an amazing place for people to visit and, particularly as local businesses start to recover, I encourage people to come up and see that for themselves.
“This funding will help us keep it that way and ensure that we remain the best Reef Managers in the world.”

Rating agency S&P Global has affirmed Australia’s AAA credit rating, citing Australia’s strong economic recovery from the pandemic and track record of sound economic and fiscal management.
Australia remains one of just nine countries to hold a AAA credit rating from the three major rating agencies.
After balancing the Budget for the first time in 11 years, Australia entered the crisis from a position of strength that provided it with the capacity to respond to the crisis.
S&P attributes this to the fact that “Australia’s budget improved in recent years on the back of tight fiscal discipline, strong labour market conditions, and high commodity prices. The general government budget was effectively balanced…”
Since the onset of the pandemic, the Morrison Government has committed $337 billion, or 16.3 per cent of GDP, in direct economic and health support.
This has supported household and business confidence and spending at time of extreme uncertainty and helped ensure that Australia’s economy recovered sooner than any major advanced economy.
Reflecting Australia’s strong economic recovery, the unemployment rate in Australia fell to 4.2 per cent in December, its lowest rate in more than 13 years.
S&P is confident that the government will continue to secure Australia’s economic recovery, noting that “Australian governments have demonstrated a willingness to implement reforms to sustain economic growth and ensure sustainable public finances and have a strong track record from managing past economic and financial crises.”
Sustainable public finances is key to retaining our AAA credit rating and only the Coalition has a strong track record of fiscal discipline and repairing the Budget.
Australia cannot afford the threat of a high taxing and big spending Labor Government who at the last election proposed $387 billion of higher taxes and sought to divide Australians with their class war rhetoric.

To continue our unprecedented investment into improving the mental health of all Australians, the Morrison Government is investing a further $44 million to increase access and reduce wait times at headspace services for young people aged 12 to 25 years.
Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt said both mental health and suicide prevention remains one of our Government’s highest priorities.
“One in four young Australians are affected by a mental health illness every year and as we continue to battle COVID-19 it’s more important than ever that we prioritise mental health,” Minister Hunt said.
“The disruption to normal life caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has had profound impacts on young Australians and we are ensuring that they can access the mental health supports they may need to help them get back on track and minimise longer-term impacts.”
“These grants form part of the Morrison Government’s headspace Demand Management and Enhancement Program – an investment of $152 million over 7 years from 2018. Through three funding rounds to date, this program has supported 28 PHNs and 86 headspace services to reduce wait times and invest in capital and infrastructure.”
Australia’s headspace centres, for young people aged 12 to 25 years, are a single-entry point for holistic, wrap around mental health services. Services provided through headspace centres are a safe place to turn to, somewhere young people can get professional help, peer support and feel comfortable enough to tackle their challenges in a way that is right for them.
The Government encourages Primary Health Networks (PHNs) across the nation to apply for up to $1.8 million each in wait time reduction grants. In addition, grants of up to $940,000 are available for capital and infrastructure improvements to existing headspace services.
Together, the grants will:

• increase access to high quality and more timely youth-friendly mental health support
• enhance the quality of service experience for young people
• boost the physical capacity of headspace facilities and enhance the accessibility of services through refurbishment or relocation.

Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman said these new grants added to the Government’s significant support for headspace around the nation.
“Our Government is providing unprecedented funding and support for mental health, investing a record $2.3 billion in the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan” Minister Coleman said.
“There is nothing more important than the mental health of our young people. headspace makes a real difference in the lives of young people across Australia, and this funding will help to increase access to these important services.”
Australians looking for support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic can also access the Beyond Blue Coronavirus Wellbeing Support Service any time via telephone at 1800 512 348 or online at coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au.
Anyone experiencing distress can seek immediate advice and support through Lifeline
(13 11 14), Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), or the Government’s digital mental health gateway, Head to Health.
If you are concerned about suicide, living with someone who is considering suicide, or bereaved by suicide, the Suicide Call Back Service is available at 1300 659 467 or www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au.
Guidelines for grant applications are available on the GrantConnect website: www.grants.gov.au