Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese visited Clermont in flood ravaged Central Queensland yesterday to announce another $26.6 million in joint Federal-State funding to help the region recover from the impact of ex tropical Cyclone Koji. At least 50,000 cattle have been killed in this flooding event that has gripped the state from the central area up to the North West. And countless grazing and small businesses are in real trouble. Many had just got back on their feet from flooding in 2019 just to have their legs kicked out from under them again. The total of flood relief money now, including hardship grants, is now more than $66 million. I spoke to the Prime Minister a short time ago and asked how this latest round of funds would be distributed.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: $11 million of that is for Primary Producer Support Package. Now that goes to industry recovery, it goes to financial counselling, goes to all of that support. $9.9 million was for the Disaster Recovery Assistance Grants of up to $25,000 for small businesses to help the clean-up, help them repair their business, to do what they can to get back on their feet and get reopened. Money for the Mental Health Recovery Program, and a million dollars for Community Relief Fund for the local council there. I was with the Mayor, Kelly, there yesterday in Clermont and that will provide them for that immediate assistance. Local governments are in the best position to know what's happening on the ground. So that support is available immediately. We're working very closely with the state government. I met with David Crisafulli last night here in Brisbane and of course we're working with local government. But importantly here what we're seeing is the community really unite, get together, work. The Bears football club there, rugby league club where we did the press conference yesterday, they've had their people out there assisting people in need. And of course the SES people that we met had come from Dysart and as far away as Mackay as well to provide that support.
SCHNITZERLING: Prime Minister, you said that you met with Premier Crisafulli last night and I have to ask you whether or not flood gauges came up, river flood gauges, because it's been a controversial topic with criticism that many of them don't work. There are thousands, they're owned by councils, the Bureau of Meteorology, grazing and mining groups. You've said everyone's responsible for their own infrastructure. Could the Federal Government take the lead here and bring all of them together into one system to own and maintain them so there is a sense of reliability about them?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, when you think about it, when you think about regional Queensland, the idea that Canberra rather than the local council, would maintain the -
SCHNITZERLING: No, not Canberra, but be the lead to bring people together.
PRIME MINISTER: That is where the Commonwealth is, of course, based. We have people everywhere. But I think that local councils and state government do own the majority of flood gauges. They are responsible for their own infrastructure. But we have committed $236 million over the next decade to acquire and to upgrade that flood warning infrastructure which is needed. So we have this program, we're working across 28 local council areas, have already had upgrades in areas as well. And we'll continue to work with state and with local government as well. We need to all work together on this to make sure that there is a better performance going forward.
SCHNITZERLING: And that's just in Queensland or across the country?
PRIME MINISTER: That's just in Queensland.
SCHNITZERLING: Did the issue of gun buybacks come up with the Premier last night? Because I don't believe he's too keen on the gun buyback system that is being proposed under the new legislation that will be debated in Parliament next week.
PRIME MINISTER: Look, we had a private discussion last night and we were able to have that about a full range of issues about the relationship between the Commonwealth and Queensland. We have a very constructive relationship and we'll continue to engage.
SCHNITZERLING: Both of you are pragmatists?
PRIME MINISTER: Indeed, and both of us are about getting things done. And I have a good working relationship with all of the Premiers, I've got to say, across the political spectrum - and particularly in moments like this. I was in Cloncurry and Mount Isa just a week ago as well. You know, politics doesn't matter.
SCHNITZERLING: Not in times of disaster, no, it doesn't. But what about in terms of -
PRIME MINISTER: It's all about getting things done.
SCHNITZERLING: But in terms of a gun buyback, if you've got three states who don't want to participate, how are you going to overcome that?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, state governments will make their own decisions, we will provide the leadership that I think is necessary at the Commonwealth level. I'll leave state governance to speak for themselves.
SCHNITZERLING: You will be discussing the proposed hate speech and gun legislation next week. At this stage, the Coalition, which I believe is about to read the draft legislation, says that it's pretty unsalvageable. The Greens are worried that inciting hatred will only be directed at migrants and they want changes. It's not really the bipartisan approach you hoped for. Will you need to allow extra time to debate that legislation?
PRIME MINISTER: Well look, the Coalition aren't about to read it. We gave it to them and gave them a full briefing on Monday. We gave them weeks of notice about this as well. And they indeed weeks ago said that they had prepared work that we asked them for and that hasn't been forthcoming. Look, the Coalition demanded that Parliament be resumed before Christmas to deal with hate speech laws. And now we are recalling Parliament. They have had the legislation has been released publicly for all to see, there's an inquiry and process through the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Intelligence, and now they say that somehow it is being rushed. The problem that the Coalition have is that their internal chaos means that it is very hard to get a clear answer for them about anything. This should be a moment of national unity. I want to see the entire Parliament unite around these laws. I say to the Coalition, or to the minor parties for that matter, if they have suggestions, put them forward. I've had phone calls from crossbenchers and from minor parties. I've had nothing back. Not a single suggestion from the Coalition at this point in time. I hope that they choose to engage constructively because I think that is what the nation needs at the moment.
SCHNITZERLING: Are you hopeful the legislation will pass?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, we'll wait and see. We don't have a majority in the Senate. We have put forward in good faith legislation. We consulted for many days with the community, particularly with the leaders of the Jewish community, about what was required. We established a process in a transparent way. This isn't one of those times where Parliament is recalled, which is what they were demanding literally on December 22, speaking about parliament should be meeting today and passing these laws. We haven't resumed Parliament and just tried to use a majority to push laws through. What we have done is engage constructively. We have provided briefings for every Member and Senator who has asked for one. Many have taken that up. The Coalition took that up at the beginning of this week on Monday afternoon, and we still have not had any proposals for them - just more negativity. And I think people will scratch their head at the gap that's there between the rhetoric that they were saying was needed and now they have an opportunity to actually act and they appear to be walking away from that. But there is time, if they have serious suggestions, to put them forward. I said when I announced this process, I said we were open to amendments and getting things done, because I think that is what is required
SCHNITZERLING: Prime Minister, police here in Brisbane are investigating a fire at a local Imam's house which follows an attack on a mosque which was defaced. Have you consulted with the Jewish community, have you also consulted with the Muslim community about this legislation?
PRIME MINISTER: Yes, we have. And I continue to engage with people across faith groups and about these issues and in particular about hatred. And there was an assault of an Imam and his wife in Melbourne. It's in an abhorrent act. I want the perpetrators of that to face the full force of the law. Hatred is bad no matter who it is directed towards. And we just need to lower the temperature. We need, you know, I often speak about the need for kindness and to be generous with each other. The Australian covenant is that if people have any disagreements or prejudice when they come to Australia they leave it in the customs hall and we respect each other. We support people being able to practice their faith and to be who they are and be proud of who they are.
SCHNITZERLING: Prime Minister, the day of mourning for the victims of the Bondi massacre is next Thursday. What do you want the legacy of that to be?
PRIME MINISTER: I want it to be that, and I'm sure it will be, that we'll never forget this atrocity. That it is a terrible event, Australia's worst terrorist attack and it was targeted at the Jewish community. This is an opportunity to mourn, to show respect, and I'm sure next Thursday that is exactly what will happen. I've met with the community on Wednesday. I was with the spiritual leader of the Chabad community there in Bondi and they are in control of the event and it will be very respectful.
SCHNITZERLING: Prime Minister, we'll all take a moment to remember on that day, and probably every other day since. Thank you very much for your time this morning.
PRIME MINISTER: Thanks very much.
