Bush Summit: Anthony Albanese to headline News Corp Bush Summit 2025
Anthony Albanese will headline this year's National Bush Summit that will push governments at all levels to bolster support for regional communities after months of destructive drought and floods.
The Prime Minister will join some of Australia's most powerful decision-makers for News Corp Australia's agenda-setting series, which will feature events in six states and territories in August.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley and Nationals leader David Littleproud are also set to appear at this year's national event, to be held in Ballarat in Victoria on August 29.
The Bush Summit will once again shine a light on the challenges and opportunities facing regional Australians, advocating for comprehensive responses to natural disasters and solutions to the urban-rural divide that has continued to short-change country communities.
'These conversations are important for governments at all levels to understand the needs of the communities,' Mr Albanese said.
'I look forward to taking part in this year's Bush Summit, because my government knows that our regions are the backbone of our nation.'
This year's Bush Summit – supported by national presenting partner Hancock Prospecting – will begin in Broome in Western Australia on August 20 and then move to Mount Gambier in South Australia, Toowoomba in Queensland and Wagga Wagga in New South Wales.
After the national event in Ballarat, the series will wrap up in Darwin in the Northern Territory.
Herald Sun editor Sam Weir said the Bush Summit played a crucial role in advocating for policies to ensure the growth and prosperity of regional Victoria.
'Victoria's regional communities are the heart and soul of our great state, and we need to make sure they are equipped not only to overcome natural disasters like this year's drought crisis, but to thrive into the future,' he said.
'The Herald Sun's agenda-setting Bush Summit is an important opportunity to listen to regional Victorians about the challenges they face and the solutions they want to embrace, and to advocate for them to government, business and community leaders.'
'We welcome the Prime Minister's commitment to this year's event and look forward to a candid discussion about his government's efforts to support the regions.'
Mr Albanese flagged a renewed focus on supporting regions hit hard in a disastrous year of drought and floods.
'I have visited flood-affected areas in New South Wales and Queensland, where there has been a devastating impact on the cattle and dairy industry. In South Australia, I spent time with a fourth-generation farming family grappling with the reality of the drought,' he said.
'That's why we are investing in the regions,' the Prime Minister added, as he also pointed to his election commitment to develop a food security strategy in his government's second term.
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