“Regional communities too often feel like they’re the last to get services and the first to lose them – and that is exactly what we are seeing with bank closures,” Dr Haines said. 

I called for a process that is clear about what skills and experience are required for these roles, how candidates will be assessed and how conflicts of interest will be declared and managed.

The Government announced on Thursday it will raise the turnover threshold for the small business active asset reduction from $2 million to $10 million, extending access to around 98% of Australian businesses.

Warning that repeated communications failures in regional areas are putting lives at risk, Independent Member for Indi, Dr Helen Haines, will today introduce legislation to improve the resilience of Australia’s telecommunications networks during natural disasters.

Independent Federal Member for Indi, Dr Helen Haines, has met with the Minister for Emergency Management to present her plan to strengthen bushfire recovery and resilience. 

The Federal Budget delivers on some of her key priorities, but still falls short on delivering for the basic needs and long-term prosperity of regional Australia, says the Independent Federal Member for Indi, Dr Helen Haines.