Across the Longwood Fire and the Upper Murray Fire, around 300 homes were lost, and more than 250,000 hectares were burnt, including thousands of kilometres of fencing, sheds and critical agricultural assets. 

As the Independent Federal Member for Indi, I’ve taken community concerns directly to the Federal Government, where key decisions on disaster payments, telecommunications regulation and recovery funding are made. I’ve met with the Treasurer and put forward key recovery priorities, and also advocated to the Victorian Government and contributed to its inquiry into the 2026 bushfires. 

In the immediate aftermath, I brought the Minister for Emergency Management, Kristy McBain, to the fire ground to see the severity firsthand and hear directly from those impacted.

This plan is practical, with actions to improve future responses and recovery – in Indi and throughout Australia.  

You can read my submission to the Victorian Government Inquiry here.

The current Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) system is too slow and too narrow. It focuses primarily on destroyed homes, overlooking significant losses such as fencing and sheds that are critical for regional livelihoods. Its locality-by-locality eligibility also causes confusion, delays, and distress. 

The Government must review the AGDRP to speed up payments, simplify eligibility, and ensure fair access – including consideration to moving toward local government area-based listings.  

They must also work with states and local governments to clarify responsibilities and streamline processes for Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) delivery, including clearer processes for state agreement to NEMA-approved betterment requests.

Power outages during the 2026 fires left communities without communication when they needed it most. Mobile towers failed after limited backup power ran out. 

Some telecommunications towers stayed online thanks to backup power – others failed within hours.  

Australia must legislate minimum backup power requirements for telecommunications infrastructure in high-risk areas, ensuring at least 24 hours of operation during outages. 

People should also be able to access any available mobile network during emergencies. Temporary disaster roaming is needed, so people can make calls and receive warnings during disasters. 

The Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) are essential to rebuilding after disaster, but communities and councils often don’t understand when or how support is triggered. 

Activation thresholds for DRFA must be made clear, consistent and publicly understandable. Improvements must be made also to processes for “betterment” funding, so rebuilding can strengthen infrastructure, not just replace what was lost. 

Bushfires are deeply traumatic. Mental health support is most effective when it’s local, trusted, and accessible. 

Current funding models are leaving gaps. Some communities outside service catchments are relying on providers from out of town. Local health services already have the trust and capability to deliver this care but are often overlooked for funding. 

The Government must review Commonwealth disaster mental health funding to ensure it’s delivered flexibly through local hospitals, primary care providers and outreach services, in line with the National Disaster Mental Health and Wellbeing Framework. 

Rural councils are on the frontline of disaster recovery but face mounting financial pressure. 

Evidence shows funding is not keeping pace with the needs of small rural councils, with already small rate-payer bases, especially after disasters. 

The Local Government (Financial Assistance) Act 1995 should be reviewed to better support rural councils to fund and manage disaster recovery. 

After bushfires, housing is an immediate challenge in regions where housing is already a crisis.  

Communities need emergency accommodation, transitional housing, and longer-term rebuilding support. 

Locally led housing solutions can deliver both short-term relief and long-term benefits, including addressing worker shortages. 

The Government must fund rapid, locally delivered transitional housing, including through state programs or the Housing Australia Future Fund.