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

Currently, most of Australia is experiencing a reprieve in dangerous weather with the exception of the Northern Territory, where the Barkly North region is experiencing extreme fire danger. I've had a lot of contact with Senator McCarthy, in particular, who is very concerned about the impact of those fires which have been going for some time in the Northern Territory. Over the weekend, we saw fires continue to burn across New South Wales and the Northern Territory, with lightning causing significant fire activity in Western Australia and the Northern Territory as well. As of a short time ago, there was one fire burning at a 'watch and act' level in Western Australia, with all other fires across the country burning at the 'advice' level or below. We're working with all state and territory governments to provide the support that they need to help the communities. In New South Wales, we've activated financial support for the local government areas of Clarence Valley, Inverell, Kyogle, Tenterfield, Mid-Western, Kempsey, Mid-Coast and Port Macquarie Hastings in recognition of the fire damage that has impacted those areas, and, in Victoria, assistance has been activated as well. (Time expired)