Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has used the 2026 Bush Summit in Dubbo to outline the Federal Government’s priorities for regional Australia, while facing questions on healthcare, migration, agriculture, energy and the impact of major infrastructure projects on rural communities.
Speaking at the Bush Summit in western NSW on Thursday, Albanese said regional communities needed stronger economic development, more jobs and better access to essential services.
He said the Government was working to improve healthcare in regional areas, including through increased funding to states and territories, new Medicare Urgent Care Clinics and measures designed to improve access to GPs.
Albanese acknowledged that workforce shortages remained a major challenge, particularly in regional healthcare.
He highlighted the contribution of skilled migrants, including nurses from Nepal and Ireland, saying regional health services would face significant pressure without overseas workers.
The Prime Minister also addressed the devastating floods in Nepal during the opening of the discussion, confirming that 34 Australians were missing at the time of the summit.
He described the disaster as a “truly horrific event” and said the remoteness of the affected region was making it difficult to obtain information.
“Our thoughts are with all those who will be concerned about their loved ones today.”
The summit also saw Albanese questioned over foreign ownership of agricultural land and renewable energy projects in regional communities.
Asked about the controversial purchase of Rushy Lagoon in Tasmania, which involved foreign companies and Federal Government-backed funding, Mr Albanese said agricultural areas should be prioritised.
“My view personally is that agriculture and sustainability need to be prioritised.”
He also acknowledged concerns from farmers living near large renewable energy projects, including complaints about inadequate consultation and the impact on local communities.
“You need social licence in order to operate,” Albanese said, calling for better community consultation and engagement.
Albanese rejected nuclear power as a viable option for Australia’s energy system, arguing that its economics and long construction time made it difficult to attract investment.
On healthcare, he said the Federal Government had provided an additional $25 billion through its health and hospitals agreement with the states and territories.
He also pointed to the expansion of Urgent Care Clinics, saying 48 of the 137 clinics were located in regional, rural and remote areas.
Migration was another major issue at the summit, with Albanese defending the Government’s efforts to reduce net overseas migration while maintaining access to workers needed by regional communities.
He rejected suggestions that any reduction in the humanitarian intake was being driven by One Nation, saying the Government was responding to national needs.
“We want to get the skilled workers that we need.”
The Prime Minister also faced questions about water management and the concerns of farmers over environmental water flows.
He said a review was already under way and that the Government would continue consulting with farming communities, while stressing that agricultural productivity and river health both needed to be considered.
Another major theme was the regulatory burden facing farmers. As Albanese acknowledged that over-regulation was a concern and said governments needed to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy.
“What worries me is overregulation.”
The Bush Summit brought together regional Australians to discuss the economic and social challenges facing communities outside Australia’s major cities.
Support our Journalism
No-nonsense journalism. No paywalls. Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or India, you can support The Australia Today by taking a paid subscription via Patreon or donating via PayPal — and help keep honest, fearless journalism alive.
