FUNDING FINALLY FLOWS AFTER TWO YEARS

It has taken the Albanese Government two years to finally announce funding for flood warning infrastructure projects across Queensland despite the funds being committed and ready for rollout under the former Liberal and Nationals Government.Shadow Emergency Management...

WHAT’S THE DEAL MINISTER?

Yet again, big announcements by the Albanese Government raise more questions than answers, this time in a new deal between Victoria and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek to deliver the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. Shadow Minister for Water, Perin Davey said it is time the...

WHERE’S THE WATER, MINISTER?

After boasting about how many farmers were willing to sell their water, today’s announcement that only 60 percent of the target volume had been purchased through last year’s tender must be an embarrassment for Tanya Plibersek and the Albanese Labor Government....

TIME FOR REAL TRANSPARENCY

The Albanese Government has surprised no one with its contradiction in promoting market transparency while practicing opacity in its water buyback schemes. This comes amidst the inquiry into supermarket pricing and the Governments own questionable practices in water...

FUNDING CLIFFS MASQUERADING AS SAVINGS

The Government has released the MYEFO statement showing cuts across regional Australia including lack of funding for vital water projects. Shadow Minister for Water, Perin Davey said this lack of funding, which is masquerading as savings, are hidden costs to our...

SUPERMARKET INQUIRY GETS GREENLIGHT

A new Senate Committee will investigate the market power of the major supermarkets and their effect on the price of everyday groceries. The Committee has been established in response to rising supermarket profits, whilst Australians face rising costs at the checkout,...

BASIN COMMUNITIES LEFT WITH THE BILL

It has cost Australians $150 million to secure cross bench support for the Water Amendment (Restoring Our Rivers) Bill 2023, yet the final cost to the taxpayer to implement the reform is shrouded in secrecy, according to Shadow Water Minister, Perin Davey. The...

SOCIAL ECONOMIC TEST SHOULD GO FUTHER

Proposed amendments being put forward by Victorian Senator David Van, with the agreement of the Labor Government, are a step in the right direction but don’t go far enough according to Shadow Water Minister, Senator Perin Davey. “The joint press conference by Minister...

PARLIAMENT TASTES THE BASIN

A showcase of produce from throughout the Murray-Darling will be held in Parliament tonight with the inaugural Taste of the Basin.   The event has been organised by Basin-based MPs and Senators to highlight the vital role the Murray-Darling Basin plays in the...

WATER AMENDMENTS MUST CHANGE

The Water Amendment (Restoring Our Rivers) Bill 2023 needs to be amended in order to pass the Senate according to a report from a Government chaired Senate committee tabled today. The call for amendments was echoed by the Liberal and Nationals members of the Committee...

WATT DOESN’T KNOW WHAT HE’S DOING

The Labor Government chose to spend precious time allocated to respond to questions on the social and economic impact of its proposed Murray-Darling water recovery strategy obfuscating about lobster and wine trade to China in a deliberate attempt to avoid providing...

450GL CONTINGENT ON CONSTRAINTS

The Government’s dogged pursuit of an extra 450GL of water under the Murray Darling Basin Plan should be put on hold until it is better understood what constraints easing projects can achieve. According to the Productivity Commissions interim report on the...

TAKING YOUR CONCERNS TO CANBERRA

Communities impacted most by water buybacks were denied the opportunity to present in their towns to a Senate Committee inquiring into the latest water reform legislation currently before Federal Parliament. Labor and the Greens voted against a motion from Shadow...

BUYBACKS WORSEN COST OF LIVING

Concerns about the economic impact on communities and potential for higher prices at the checkout has seen a range of farming groups meet with Nationals and Liberals in Canberra today, to explore ways to protect Australians from the Albanese Government’s push to...

LABOR SECRECY PREVAILS

Communities impacted most by water buybacks will not have the opportunity to present in their own regions to a Senate Committee inquiring into the latest water reform legislation currently before Federal Parliament. The Senate voted against a motion that would have...

BASIN PLAN REVIEW ENDORSED

The Nationals Federal Conference has today endorsed a motion to bring forward the legislated review of the Murray Darling Basin Plan and return the focus of the plan to management and outcomes rather than water recovery. In moving the motion, Shadow Water Minister,...

OUTCOMES OUT AS NUMBERS THE ONLY TARGET

Environmental outcomes appear to have been swept aside in the chase for numbers under Labor’s revised Murray Darling Basin Plan according to Shadow Water Minister, Perin Davey. “There is a lot to work through with these amendments, but I have always been focussed on...

BUYBACKS LAZY WATER RECOVERY

Buybacks have been repeatedly recognised as harmful to local communities and are the laziest form of water recovery according to Shadow Water Minister Perin Davey. Senator Davey stated to Tom Connell on Afternoon Agenda that every State is opposed to buybacks...

WATT’S THE DELAY?

The Federal Labor Government must hold their State colleagues accountable to ensure disaster assistance funding gets where it is needed as quickly and efficiently as possible. Reports that the NSW Labor Government have not rolled out flood funding grants that were...

FLOOD FUNDING MISSES THE MARK

Today’s announcement by the Federal Government on the next tranche of the Northern Rivers Recovery and Resilience Program funding has failed to live up to the program’s original intent of flood mitigation, according to Shadow Minister for Emergency Management, Senator...

INSURANCE NO COVER FOR DISASTER AREAS

Almost six months after the Labor Government announced the Hazards Insurance Partnership, home owners living in disaster prone areas are being left without cover. In February the Hazards Insurance Partnership was hailed by the Emergency Management Minister as...

BASIN PLAN DELAY LATE BUT WELCOME NEWS

News the Labor Government are considering extending Basin Plan deadlines are welcome, if not 18 months late according to Shadow Water Minister, Perin Davey. “Minister Plibersek knew these deadlines would not be met,” Senator Davey said. “I told her in my first letter...

WHERE’S THE MONEY?

Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan and Shadow Minister for Emergency Management, Senator Perin Davey, say Labor’s slowness on flood mitigation and support for the community are unacceptable. “16 months ago I secured $150 million to go towards flood mitigation...

DISASTROUS LACK OF DETAIL

The Albanese Government has used the broadest possible definition of disaster mitigation and resilience when awarding funds under the newly framed Disaster Ready Fund according to Shadow Emergency Management Minister, Senator Perin Davey. “When most people think of...

LACK OF DETAIL A DISASTER

Despite recent floods, fires and cyclones, the Budget includes no detail on new initiatives for Emergency Management. The Labor Government’s “new initiative” such as the Public Safety Mobile Broadband project is merely funding a continuation of work commenced when The...

INLAND WATER SECURITY DAMNED

The Budget has damned several inland communities to questionable water security by scrapping nearly $900 million in funding for water infrastructure projects. The Labor Government has cancelled funding for the Dungowan Dam in New South Wales and Emu Swamp Dam and...

BASIN PLAN FUNDING CLIFF EXPOSED

Programs under the Murray Darling Basin Plan face a funding cliff at the end of the next financial year exposing the Government’s approach to delivering the remainder of the Plan. Communities throughout the Basin face an uncertain future and there appears to be no...

THE BASIN PLAN IS NOW BROKEN

The revelation today that the Victorian Government cannot finish nine environmental water projects signals the end of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan as we know it. The Albanese Governments failure to work with the States means the Basin Plan is now broken and we can...

LABOR BUYBACK TENDERS NOW OPEN

Communities will be watching with concern as to how much more water is removed from their towns in the latest Labor water buyback tender which opened today. Shadow Water Minister, Perin Davey said the issue with buyback, which she described as the lazy water recovery...

NORTHERN RIVERS PRIORITIES WELCOMED

The announcement of the first tranche of priority flood mitigation projects in the Northern Rivers region has been welcomed by Shadow Minister for Emergency Management, Senator Perin Davey.  Senator Davey said the need to upgrade high-tech flood...

TAX CONFIRMED ON FLOOD RELIEF GRANTS

The Minister for Emergency Management has today confirmed that small businesses in receipt of assistance grants following floods will be taxed, despite the Prime Minister saying the opposite in Lismore last October. In questions to the Minister today in Estimates...

DISASTER FUNDING REVIEW WELCOMED

A review into Australia’s disaster funding arrangements had been identified as necessary by the former Coalition Government, but it has taken eight months for the Albanese Government to act, according to Shadow Emergency Management Minister, Senator Perin Davey....

MINISTER WATT, DERBY IS SUFFERING TOO

Having acknowledged he raised the bar of what support the public expects from the Federal Government in Opposition, now Minister Watt is failing to meet his own expectations. Shadow Emergency Management Minister, Perin Davey, said concerns are mounting about flood...

HIGH VOLTAGE SEMANTICS

Government Departments are using semantics to distract communities and create confusion about controversial transmission line construction projects. Communities in the NSW Southwest Slopes regions have been raising concerns about the impact of proposed overhead...

MARKET TURMOIL AS CONFUSION REIGNS

Confusion reigns in the water market as the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) are forced to release a clarifying statement about the status of buybacks in the Murray Darling Basin. Shadow Minister for Water, Perin Davey, said...

BUYBACKS COMING TO A VALLEY NEAR YOU

At today’s Senate Water Estimates hearings, the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW) confirmed Labor’s buybacks are back and coming to seven valleys across the Basin and it has nothing to do with recovering any of the 450GL.  The Department said...

LABOR ROADS FUNDING FULL OF POTHOLES

Mixed messages coming out of the Albanese Government on urgently needed funding for flood damaged roads will provide no solace for Councils left responsible for carrying out the repairs. Nationals Deputy Leader, Senator Perin Davey echoed the concerns raised by local...

NO TRANSPARENCY IN BASIN PLAN FUTURE

The Albanese Government is refusing to tell Australians the cost of delivering on their Murray-Darling Basin Plan commitments. According to the Budget papers released on Tuesday night, the cost to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water...

STATES MUST CLARIFY FLOOD FUNDING

As the flooding crisis continues through the eastern states, Shadow Minister for Emergency Management, Perin Davey, is urging Federal and State Governments to provide clear, concise and consistent information on what disaster assistance is available and how it can be...

VOLUNTEERS STRETCHED; SUPPORT NEEDED

The Federal Government needs to work with the States to ensure clean-up and recovery support is rolled out to support already stretched and fatigued community volunteers according to Shadow Emergency Management Minister, Perin Davey.  Senator Davey said the...

WATER RESOURCE PLAN PROGRESS WELCOME

Progress has been made to accredit NSW Water Resource Plans (WRP) with the announcement today of the finalisation of the first plan, welcomed by Shadow Water Minister Perin Davey. Water Minister, Tanya Plibersek, announced the accreditation of the NSW Border Rivers...

WORK TOGETHER FOR THE FUTURE

As the Lismore community, already battered by floods, wakes to the news of staff redundancies at Norco, Shadow Emergency Management Minister, Senator Perin Davey is urging the Government to work with the Company to ensure the ice cream factory has a future in the...

THIRD TIME LUCKY

As communities already battered by numerous natural disasters face more rain, the Government has confirmed its response has been to do nothing except re-announce funding committed by the former Nationals and Liberal Coalition Government. Shadow Minister for Emergency...

WATER TAKE DOWN ACROSS THE BASIN

The release of the Sustainable Diversion Limit (SDL) compliance statement for 2020-2021 highlights a trend of consumptive water being underused in 98% of the SDL resource units across the Murray Darling Basin. Shadow Water Minister, Perin Davey said repeated underuse...

WATER MINISTER BLAME GAME

To deflect blame for ignoring the complexities of recovering more water from communities, the Government has now misled Parliament with numbers as rubbery as their election promises. In a bizarre over-reach the Minister for Water, Tanya Plibersek has ignored publicly...

NEW JOB FOR A SITTING MATE

After sacking the independent National Resilience and Recovery Commissioner, the Labor Government have announced a new role for one of their own, appointing Senator Tony Sheldon as Special Envoy for Disaster Recovery. Shadow Emergency Management Minister, Perin Davey,...

AVOID RISKS BY WORKING TOGETHER

New Water Minister Tanya Plibersek started the day calling for unity of purpose and finished it by picking a fight with her State Labor colleagues at her Press Club speech today. Senator Davey said all State Water Ministers - Labor and Coalition - agreed to a clear...

WHERE HAS THE MONEY GONE?

Shadow Minister for Emergency Management, Senator Perin Davey, is questioning where $150 million of Emergency Response Fund (ERF) commitments has gone after the allocation has disappeared from Government announcements. Emergency Management Minister, Murray Watt,...

DAVEY TO TAKE SHADOW WATER ROLE

Accepting the Water and Emergency Management portfolios in the Shadow Ministry, NSW Senator and Deputy Leader of The Nationals, Perin Davey said both portfolios are priority areas for regional communities. “We have learned a lot over the last three years...

GREENS WATER PUSH WILL DESTROY RIVER COMMUNITIES

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE The Greens are already putting demands on the Albanese Labor Government to rewrite the Murray-Darling Basin Plan to the detriment of Basin communities. Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is not only trying to write the ALP’s water policy, but also...

BACKING REGIONAL HEALTH

MEDIA RELEASE As election day has almost arrived, it is great to see policies being announced for regional and rural communities. I am proud to back Minister for regional health, David Gillespie, in the fight to secure more healthcare professionals in the regions....

HIGHWAY MOBILE UPGRADES TO ADDRESS SAFETY CONCERNS

MEDIA RELEASE Mobile connectivity along the Silver City Highway will improve following successful applications for funding mobile and broadband upgrades under Round 2 of the Regional Connectivity Program. Senator for NSW, Perin Davey said lack of mobile access along...

WARTIME HERITAGE PRESERVED IN HUNTER

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE Six local organisations across the Hunter will share in over $20,000 to deliver projects to commemorate the service and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans including a new Memorial Wall and garden at Singleton Heights Public School. Announcing the...

COUNCILS ON ROAD TO RECOVERY – HUNTER

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE Local road maintenance in the Hunter will receive a boost thanks to funding under the Australian Government’s Roads to Recovery Program. Senator for New South Wales, Perin Davey, said Cessnock, Muswellbrook and Lake Macquarie were set to benefit to...

COUNCILS ON ROAD TO RECOVERY – RICHMOND

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE Local road maintenance in the region will receive a boost thanks to funding under the Australian Government’s Roads to Recovery Program. Senator for New South Wales, Perin Davey, said Byron and Tweed Shire Councils were set to benefit to the tune...

COUNCILS ON ROAD TO RECOVERY IN HUNTER

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE Local road maintenance in the Hunter will receive a boost thanks to funding under the Australian Government’s Roads to Recovery Program. Senator for New South Wales, Perin Davey, said Cessnock, Muswellbrook and Lake Macquarie were set to benefit to...

COMMUNITY INVESTMENT KEY TO WATER BUDGET

MEDIA RELEASE The Edward-Wakool and Murray River districts have an opportunity to apply for further funding under the Healthy Rivers – Healthy Communities grant program announced in this week’s budget. Deniliquin based Senator for NSW, Perin Davey, said the $97...

HUNTER KEY HUB FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

MEDIA RELEASE The Hunter region has been identified as a regional hub and will be targeted for investment in key projects to drive economic and job growth in existing and emerging industries. The Coalition Government announced $750 million for projects in the Hunter...

NBN UPGRADES TO DELIVER FASTER BROADBAND TO HUNTER

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE Faster internet is coming to areas in the Hunter thanks to upgrades to the NBN Co’s Fibre to the node (FTTN) technology. Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher, said this would support...

MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR DOCTOR RECRUITMENT

MEDIA RELEASE Clinics in Glendale, Argenton and Charleston will have more opportunities to recruit doctors following the successful review of the Distribution Priority Area (DPA) status. The regions are now classified as a Distribution Priority Area following an...

JERVIS BAY FLYOVER GETS GREEN LIGHT

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE The long-awaited Jervis Bay Road and Princes Highway intersection upgrade is now one step closer to reality, with the submissions report released today showing overwhelming support for the proposed designs. The $125 million intersection upgrade is...

DENI UTE MUSTER GETS A RISE

MEDIA RELEASE After two years of COVID cancellations, the Deniliquin Ute Muster has received some good news with the announcement of $400,000 of Federal Government funding. The grant has been provided through the Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund,...

LOCAL ROADS PRIORITY PROJECTS GET THE GREEN LIGHT

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE Three priority projects around Cessnock will be upgraded thanks to funding from the Federal Government Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program. The Liberal and Nationals Government is investing $2,130,798 including $800,000 for the Kurri...

POWERING COMMUNITY GROUPS IN RICHMOND

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE The Morrison Government is supporting community groups across the Richmond region to help them increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions. The grants from the Powering Communities Program will enable the not-for-profit groups, like Bangalow...

POWERING COMMUNITY GROUPS IN HUNTER

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE The Morrison Government is supporting community groups across the Hunter region to help them increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions. The grants from the Powering Communities Program will enable the not-for-profit groups, like the Singleton...

SUPPORTING LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN RICHMOND

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE Local Governments in the Richmond region can continue to deliver priority projects after receiving the third 2021-22 quarterly payment of the Federal Government’s Financial Assistance Grant program. Senator for New South Wales Perin Davey said the...

SUPPORTING LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN HUNTER

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE Local Governments in the Hunter region can continue to deliver priority projects after receiving the third 2021-22 quarterly payment of the Federal Government’s Financial Assistance Grant program. Senator for New South Wales Perin Davey said the...

DEPUTY CHAIR WELCOMES FLAG’S FREEDOM

MEDIA RELEASE As the Deputy Chair of the Senate Select Committee on the Aboriginal Flag I welcome the Commonwealth acquiring the copyright of the Flag so it can be freely used by all members of the Australian Public. The agreement reached by the Commonwealth and the...

FEDERAL FUNDING BOOST FOR M1 TO RAYMOND TERRACE

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE The Federal Government is investing a further $80 million to ensure delivery of one of the Hunter’s biggest ever infrastructure projects, the M1 Pacific Motorway Extension to Raymond Terrace. This additional commitment brings the Federal...

$2.4M IN FUNDING TO FLOW INTO CESSNOCK LEVEE

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE A joint agreement between the Australian and NSW Governments will see the construction of a multi-million dollar levee to protect Cessnock. The signing of the agreement this week has unlocked $2.4 million in Federal funding from the National Flood...

Emergency Relief and flood mitigation funding for NSW

**Information on personal hardship and distress assistance can be accessed via Service NSW on 13 77 88 or online at www.service.nsw.gov.au.** On the back of devastating floods in northern and western NSW, Senator Perin Davey has welcomed comprehensive support from the...

Consultation on domestic organics regulation

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE • Consumers, organic farmers, food manufacturers and exporters are encouraged to have their say on improving Australia’s domestic organic regulatory framework• The consultation will focus on potential regulatory or non-regulation options across all...

New, improved facilities for north coast schools

Staff and students at two schools on the NSW north coast will benefit from a range of new facilities thanks to funding under the Federal Government’s Capital Grants Program. Senator for New South Wales Perin Davey said the Government will provide $550,000 for the...

Funding boost to provide extra support for veterans

Local RSL Sub-Branches will benefit from the latest round of the Australian Government’s Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) funding to support local veterans and their families. The Tweed Heads and Coolangatta RSL Sub-Branch will receive over $53,000...

Advisory Group on water market to progress reform

An advisory group of technical experts, water market users and stakeholder representatives will provide the Government with key advice on how to implement recommendations from the ACCC water market review leading to an improved water market. Former water policy...

Draft Code brings hope for boarding students

Senator Perin Davey has welcomed today’s announcement that the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) will consider a nationally consistent approach on border restrictions for boarding school students. The moves comes after Minister for...

Road safety funding flows to Richmond

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE New road safety upgrades and improvements will be delivered to the Richmond electorate thanks to funding from the Australian Government. New South Wales Nationals Senator Perin Davey said the funding will deliver crucial road safety improvements...

Labor must rule out funding for job-killing EDO

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE Senator for New South Wales Perin Davey joined Minister for Resources and Water Keith Pitt in calling on Labor to abandon plans to provide millions of dollars of taxpayer funding to the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO). “The EDO specialises in...

Australian history to be showcased in Yass

The 21st birthday of the Yass Antique Farm Machinery Club provides the perfect opportunity for the official launch of the National Agricultural technology Museum, following completion of the concept design phase made possible with $150,000 funding from the Australian Government.

Planning a secure water future for Australia

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE The Australian Government is providing a further $22.3 million for the development of business cases for eight water infrastructure projects that will help secure Australia’s water future. New South Wales Senator Perin Davey welcomed the investment...

Important road safety upgrade for Cooma

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE A new roundabout, additional street lighting and drainage improvements will form part of the safety upgrade to one of Cooma’s busiest intersections. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael...

More jobs, better roads for Hunter

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE On the final day of a three-day tour of the Hunter Region, Nationals Senator for NSW Perin Davey has welcomed the Government announcement of additional funding for local road projects in the area. The announcement is part of the latest round of the...

Joint Media Release

Nationals Senators are calling on the big banks to stop putting their politically charged climate policies ahead of the jobs of hardworking Australians.

Parliamentary Friends of Landcare launch

Nationals Senator for New South Wales Perin Davey and Victorian Labor Senator Raff Ciccone have launched the Parliamentary Friends of Landcare, which aims to champion the work of Landcare groups and the beneficial impact it has on the environment.

Media Statement

The Women of the National Party stand with the many Australians who have raised concerns regarding violence against women.

Up and Atom

The Nationals Senate Team has decided to move amendments to the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) so that it can invest in all technologies that can reduce emissions.

It’s time to manufacture jobs

The National Party’s Backbench Policy Committee have released its Manufacturing 2035 plan. The plan outlines the National Party’s vision for the manufacturing industry and a broad policy platform to help encourage industry growth.

Singleton to receive $700 Million Bypass

Nationals Senator for NSW Perin Davey said today’s pre-budget infrastructure announcement regarding the new $700 million bypass, is further proof the Nationals in Government believe Singleton and surrounding areas are a vital component in helping the national economy recover post Covid-19.

Farmers need more than a bubble

Nationals Senator for New South Wales Perin Davey has welcomed an announcement from the Queensland State Government which would see the border bubble extended to include northern NSW.

Buybacks ruled out as MDBA is split

The Murray-Darling Basin Authority will be split in two and on-farm water recovery will be taken off the table following an announcement by Federal Water Minister, Keith Pitt who has also committed new funding for communities.

More certainty needed for border residents

NSW Nationals Senator Perin Davey has welcomed today’s announcement from the NSW Government which will see the NSW-Victoria border zone extended to 50 kilometres, however more certainty is needed for workers outside that region.

Revelations over South Australian Water Theft

Revelations today show South Australian water users have been operating under a ‘steal now, pay later’ system, as NSW communities continue to recover from their worst drought on record. The Weekly Times today reports a group of South Australian water users have been...

Farmers cannot be hit with extra tax

NSW Nationals Senator Perin Davey has sought assurances that farmers and investors who lease agricultural land will not be hit by new taxes through proposed changes to federal income tax assessment legislation.