Getting this Bill right is critical as energy bill pressures increase and as Australia charts a path toward net zero emissions.

We should be doing everything we can to prevent unrest and division in our communities, and we should be doing everything to bring our communities together, centred around our shared humanity.

The state of local roads in my electorate of Indi is dire. Regional and rural roads are disintegrating. They are unsafe to travel on. What are you doing to increase funding for regional and rural roads?

Parts of the bill intend to close loopholes in working conditions that some businesses and employers exploit, to the detriment of workers. These can mean underpayment, unsafe working conditions and insecure work. I support the intent to close those loopholes.

I’m committed to smart action on climate change, not just because it’s good and needed for our planet but because we know that renewables and electrification mean people save money.

As a regional Independent, I want my local communities, and others like them in regional, rural, and remote Australia, to benefit—to truly benefit—from hosting these large-scale, mostly foreign owned renewable energy developments.

As part of this year’s campaign, 22-year-old Jye McBurnie from Wodonga in my electorate of Indi has written a speech that addresses the scourge of family and domestic violence.

As taxpayers, is it too much to hope that our taxes are spent in the public interest and based on evidence, on a cost-benefit analysis or on where the need is greatest?

My amendments further strengthen the inspector-general’s powers to make sure the states and projects are delivering.

My amendment would provide a review of government support to affected communities. It would absolutely scrutinise the government’s support of communities, ensuring that it’s commensurate with impacts experienced, and meaningfully address their needs.