Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

When I spoke to people in Seymour nine days ago, the biggest message they had was the need to get recovery support in quickly. They told me very clearly that any delay in starting their clean-up would lead to longer-term issues. The SES in every state do an excellent job, but this is a big event over a long period of time. So, after consultation with the defence minister, I've approved requests for up to 600 ADF personnel across Victoria and New South Wales at the request of those state governments.

Our fantastic defence forces have been doing an outstanding job helping with sandbagging, evacuations and now supporting clean-up operations, damage assessments and the provision and resupply of essential food and supplies to isolated communities. We've also approved the use of ADF helicopters in both New South Wales and Victoria for everything from mass evacuations, if needed, to lifting heavy equipment. I want to thank the ADF for making these personnel and resources available and, of course, I want to thank those boots on the ground for their efforts in helping these communities recover. I know very well the morale boost it provides to communities. (Time expired)