House Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport — hearing of 17 September 2026: transcript & video · Polyfact

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House Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport

17 September 2026

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Contents updated on 17 Sept 2026

Opening of the hearing with DSS, covering data on DSS funding to councils, programs accessible to local governments, perceived barriers and engagement mechanisms, place‑based initiatives such as Stronger Places, and analysis of unmet need and DSS’s relatively small direct funding share to councils.

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DSS evidence — local government funding role

50:53

Hearing opening and DSS witness introductions

50:53

DSS funding data — grants awarded vs payments

54:08

Local governments’ eligibility for DSS programs

57:08

Role of local government in social services and grant barriers

01:00:54

DSS engagement with local councils and feedback loops

01:04:40

Place-based programs and selection of Stronger Places sites

01:07:47

Unmet need, priority areas and DSS funding share to councils

01:23:28

Infrastructure Department — compact, FAGs and funding data

01:30:21

Infrastructure Department session opening and federal–local compact

01:30:21

Correcting GrantsConnect data and tracking funding flows

01:35:38

Constitutional recognition, the compact scope and election commitments

01:40:37

National principles and history of Financial Assistance Grants

01:45:42

Infrastructure programs — roads, grants design and hearing close

01:48:22

Roads to Recovery and Local Roads and Community Infrastructure

01:48:22

Growing Regions, Thriving Suburbs, grant co‑contributions and untied funding

01:53:32

Cross-portfolio grants, expanding council roles and hearing close

01:59:05

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House Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport

17 September 2026

House Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport Thu, 17 Sept 2026 Australian Parliament

50:52 - 51:58

Speaker 1

I declare open this public hearing of the Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport's inquiry into local government funding and fiscal sustainability. I'd like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands on which we meet today, and I pay my respects to their ancestors and their elders past, present and future. I extend this respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their cultural and spiritual connections to Australia's lands and waters. In accordance with the committee's resolution of 28 August 2025, this hearing will be broadcast on the Parliament's website, and the proof and official transcripts of proceedings will be published on the inquiry website.

I remind members of the media who may be present or listening on the web of the need to fairly and accurately report the proceedings of the committee. I now welcome representatives of the Department of Social Services to give evidence today. For the Hansard record, would you please state your full name and the capacity in which you appear before the committee.

51:58 - 52:04

Speaker 8

Richard Umgardt, Chief Advisor Service Delivery in Department of Social Services.

52:04 - 52:08

Speaker 7

Tamsin Jackson, Branch Manager Hub Operations in the Department of Social Services.

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