Delivering local impact with national influence
I’ve worked with Coalition and Labor Governments, and our community to achieve real results.
Lowering the cost of living
- $1 billion in the 2023-24 Federal Budget to provide households with access to low-cost loans through the Household Energy Upgrades Fund.
- Championed the Cheaper Home Batteries program, which is reducing household energy costs.
- Supported small businesses, including beef and dairy farms, to receive $2.25 million to improve energy efficiency, reducing power bills.
Quality health and aged care services
- Secured an amendment to the Commonwealth Prac Payment Scheme, requiring consideration of support for medical and allied health students.
- Successfully campaigned to expand the Commonwealth Prac Payment Scheme to allied health students.
- Brought forward funding for a $2.5 million specialist mental health clinic for Albury-Wodonga.
- Targeted mental health support across the region, including:
- $800,000 for Upper Murray bushfire recovery programs
- $300,000 for Corryong Health services
- $19 million in aged care funding to strengthen facilities, workforce capacity and pandemic preparedness, including:
- $497,867 for Euroa Health
- $268,602 for Rosebank Hostel in Yea
- $214,005 for Alpine Health
- $1.3 million for the Indigo 4As program.
- Supported Yackandandah Health to secure $3 million in financial assistance.
- Assisted more than 400 constituents with aged care needs across two terms in Parliament.
Increasing access to housing
- Introduced the Unlocking Regional Housing Bill to guarantee funding for critical enabling infrastructure in regional, rural and remote communities.
- Helped secure the $500 million Housing Support Program to unlock new housing developments.
- Housing Support Program funding in Indi, including:
- $410,000 for the Wodonga Growth Strategy.
- $968,000 for Murrindindi Shire to unlock hundreds of homes in Alexandra.
- Successfully amended the Housing Australia Investment Mandate to require quarterly reporting on new homes built in regional, rural and remote areas.
Improving infrastructure and fixing roads
- $153 million in Commonwealth roads funding.
- Check out my Delivering for Indi interactive map to see the projects funded in your town.
- Advocated for upgrades to the North East rail line, with new VLocity trains completed in 2021.
- Under Independent representation, $235 million was delivered for track upgrades.
Ending corruption and restoring integrity
- Secured the establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
- Introduced my End Pork Barreling Bill, that would stamp out the use of taxpayer money to buy votes.
- Championed the creation of an Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission to provide accountability for Members of Parliament and their staff who breach behaviour standards.
Protecting the environment and shifting to clean energy
- Worked with David Pocock and the Climate Change and Energy Minister to secure a review to improve community engagement in renewable energy projects.
- Federal Budget funding to implement key recommendations from the review, including a Developer Rating Scheme.
- Published the Local Power Plan – a blueprint to drive investment in locally owned renewable energy across regional Australia.
- Significant funding to strengthen climate resilience in Indi, including:
- $13 million in Disaster Ready Funding.
- $4 million in Drought Communities funding.
- $42 million in bushfire recovery grants.
- Amended the Climate Change Act to ensure regional Australia is explicitly considered in emissions targets and in assessing economic, employment and social impacts.
- Amended the Net Zero Economy Authority Act to ensure regional expertise and leadership is represented on the Authority’s advisory board.
Securing better telecommunications
- More than 50 new or upgraded mobile phone towers across Indi under independent representation.
- Introduced the Faster Internet for Regional Australia Bill to hold NBN Co accountable for delivering high-quality internet in regional communities.
- Major investment in high-speed internet infrastructure, including:
- $2.6 million to rebuild a 42km fibre optic cable through the Upper Ovens
- $2.36 million for fibre-to-the-premises NBN in Harrietville
- Business NBN Zones in Benalla, Wangaratta and Wodonga to support local businesses.
- Brought the Regional Telecommunications Infrastructure Review Committee to Benalla, hosting public and private hearings at the Town Hall.
Supporting farmers and agriculture
- Funding in the 2023 Federal Budget for Agricultural Extension Officers to provide farmers and primary producers with trusted, independent advice on climate change and carbon emissions.