Mark Coulton (Parkes, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'd like to alert the Australian parliament to a disaster that's unfolding across western New South Wales as we speak. We have had, under the effects of the La Nina weather pattern, increased rainfall over recent times. That has led to a substantially above-average winter crop. Sadly, the rain has continued, and we've seen that crop not only downgraded but in many cases completely destroyed. At the moment, in Gunnedah, we're seeing up to a hundred houses affected by flooding.

The main concern that I want to alert the House to is the forecast. It is a very great concern. I think, as a nation, we need to be prepared to step into what could be a potentially very, very dangerous Christmas period. The forecast just for this week in my home area is that there's a 100 per cent chance of rainfall tomorrow of up to 100 mils. With dams that are full to capacity, the potential for very, very damaging floods on top of what we've already seen with the devastation of the winter crop is of great concern. We need to be prepared as a government to step up when we need to as the current situation unfolds.