Dr Haines’ motion proposes the Government introduce legislation to reform grants administration. Such reforms would ensure grant guidelines and selection criteria are clear and publicly available, that public reporting on grants administration includes grants that are awarded contrary to advice given to the Minister, and a Parliamentary Joint Committee on Grants Administration would provide administrative oversight.

While the Housing Australia Investment Mandate briefly mentions the housing needs of regional, rural and remote Australia, the guidelines do not explicitly require money to be spent on regional, rural and remote housing projects.

Independent Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines has welcomed the announcement that a new bridge will be built on Indigo Creek Road, after the Federal Government awarded $1.24 million to the project through the Bridges Renewal Program.

What was on the table was not a good deal for regional Australia, and we have seen little progress and compromise by the European Union, so this was the right call for us.

Independent Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines has successfully amended the government’s Bill on the Murray Darling Basin Plan to improve accountability and support for impacted communities.

Yesterday, Australians including voters in Indi, comprehensively voted ‘No’ to recognition in our constitution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through a Voice to Parliament. While I am disappointed in the outcome, I am grateful that we have a democracy that allows every one of us to have our say.

The failure to properly consult with regional communities affected by large-scale renewable energy projects and transmission infrastructure risks delaying or derailing the transition to a decarbonised energy grid, according to Independent Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines.

People from the communities of Meadow Creek, the Strathbogie Ranges, Barnawartha and beyond had their say as part of a federal government review into community engagement processes for new renewable energy projects and associated infrastructure in a series of roundtable meetings held in Wangaratta on Wednesday.

“The housing crisis is the biggest issue facing regional Australia yet it is a complete blind spot for this Government. Almost one in three Australians live outside the big cities, yet I constantly have to remind this Government about how the housing crisis is impacting people in regional, rural and remote communities,” Dr Haines said.

Independent Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines has introduced a Bill to Parliament to increase the amount of Government housing funding that will go to regional Australia.