David Littleproud (Maranoa, National Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture) Share this | Hansard source

on indulgence—I thank the Prime Minister and, in particular, Senator McAllister for the proactive way that they've dealt not just with me but with the local community. This morning I spoke to the mayor of Winton Shire, Cathy White, who assured me that all is being done at a state and federal level and that they were confident that, despite some damage to many stations out there, much of the benefit of this will come after the water recedes; it has been dry. In fact, one station hand said that for the first time they had to use a calculator to work out the amount of rain they've received, they've had so much rain. There is a silver lining to this, and everything has been done.

I would also say to every Australian that the other silver lining is that, as we come into our tourist season for Winton Shire, Longreach, Quilpie and Birdsville, from Easter onwards you will be able to get out and spend your dollars in the Queensland outback. We need you to go out there. We need you to spend a dollar. The federal government, state government and local government are doing all they need to to make sure you can do that safely.

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