Graham Perrett (Moreton, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

On indulgence: I rise to support the remarks of the Treasurer regarding the devastating floods in Queensland’s north and north-west. I commend the contributions of the member for Maranoa and the member for Leichhardt. Whilst in Victoria fire has unleashed our nation’s most horrific tragedy, in North Queensland it is nature’s fury of another kind that we are seeing. I was particularly taken with a photograph from the Australian on Thursday, February 5, showing the Queensland Deputy Premier Paul Lucas surveying the damage in Ingham with a ‘road subject to flooding’ sign just about underwater and the street sign just about underwater as well.

The floods first came about almost a fortnight ago in the wake of ex-tropical Cyclone Ellie. More than 60 per cent of the state of Queensland, or one million square kilometres, has been flooded—with more than 3,000 houses affected in the town of Ingham alone, where water peaked at 12 metres. Thankfully the floodwaters have begun to recede over the last few days. However more heavy rains are forecast. In fact just before coming up to the Main Committee I spoke to my sister-in-law Diane Black in Innisfail and she said that it is about to come down again there. If this does eventuate, North and Far North Queensland may be facing rising floodwaters all over again. The Queensland government has estimated flood damage to be in the order of hundreds of millions of dollars. Of course mere dollar values will never give us a real sense of the disaster, and obviously with lives having been lost these are very difficult times indeed.

The ongoing flood situation has left many temporarily displaced from their homes, the Bruce Highway closed and many cut off from food and supplies. The flood has also brought with it the risk of disease and mosquito-borne viruses. The true damage will not be known until the floodwaters recede in places like Ingham and residents can begin to take stock.

North Queensland is no stranger to disaster. My wife is a North Queensland girl and most of my in-laws live up there. North Queenslanders have a particular resolve and courage to overcome what Mother Nature throws at them. We will never forget the impact of Cyclone Larry almost three years ago. Back on the morning of 20 March 2006, my in-laws in Innisfail, Dianne and Jeffrey Black, woke to find homes and businesses destroyed, crops flattened and livelihoods left in ruins by the category 4 cyclone. But that was not the end of the story. The community picked themselves up, dusted off and embarked on the biggest relief, recovery and reconstruction effort ever mounted in Queensland’s history. The Queensland government spent at least $300 million rebuilding the community, and local councils and the federal government and the public all pitched in to help.

North Queenslanders have endured before and they will do it again. It is in that same spirit of mateship and community that they will come together, clean up, repair and get back on their feet again when the water eventually flows away. I particularly want to acknowledge the hard work of emergency services personnel and those saints, the SES volunteers. These are special, courageous workers who have braved the floodwaters to rescue people caught in floodwaters and to help evacuate stranded communities.

I also want to commend the Queensland government’s response. Led by Premier Anna Bligh, Deputy Premier Paul Lucas, Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts and Treasurer Andrew Fraser the Queensland government has been working with the Red Cross to evacuate residents and get essential foodstuffs and medical supplies into flood affected areas.

The Rudd government have also stepped up to support those affected by the floods. Through our Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements, the Queensland government receives funding to provide grants for food, clothing, accommodation, emergency housing repairs and for expenditure on public infrastructure restoration. We are also making disaster recovery payments available to residents in Ingham who have been seriously injured or who have had their homes flooded. These are one-off, lump-sum payments of $1,000 for adults and $400 for each child to help support their recovery in the short term. These payments are available through Centrelink to eligible recipients and are intended to help people purchase the necessities they need to survive in the days following these horrible floods. We must remember that many have lost everything. The Australian Defence Force have also pitched in. They have helped deliver more than 4,500 ration packs directly to Ingham residents.

I know, as we reflect on the disasters before us, many Australians are shaking their heads, asking not only, ‘How could this happen?’ but also, ‘How can we help?’. One way we can help is to dig deep and make a donation to help flood victims. Anyone can do this through the Queensland Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal Fund at any of the big banks, including the Commonwealth, Westpac, NAB, ANZ, Suncorp-Metway and the Bank of Queensland or by calling 1800173349. I understand that all donations are tax-deductible and distribution of the funds will be undertaken by the Red Cross.

When the floodwaters finally retreat, North Queensland residents will face a long and painful clean-up. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all. I know that families, friends and neighbours will help each other out. The government will help out where it can and North Queensland’s flood ravaged communities will get back on their feet.

Debate (on motion by Ms Grierson) adjourned.

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