Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Defence and relates to tropical Cyclone Debbie, which ravaged parts of the North Queensland coast, including the Whitsundays and Mackay, earlier this week. In asking my question to the minister, I wonder if the Senate would allow me the indulgence of expressing the Senate's and the parliament's solidarity with those who have lost property and homes in the cyclone, and also acknowledging the volunteers and civilians who have done so much to help before, during and after the cyclone hit the coast. My question to the minister relates to the work that I know the ADF is doing. As I drove up to Townsville to come to Canberra yesterday, I passed convoys of Army trucks moving south towards the cyclone area. I ask the minister if she could indicate to the Senate how the Australian Defence Force has supported the people of North Queensland affected by the cyclone?