Patrick Dodson (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Emergency Management, Senator Watt. In my home state of Western Australia, we've seen flooding in the Kimberley and fires down south. Can the minister please provide an update on what support the Commonwealth is providing to communities impacted during this high-risk weather season?

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

I thank Senator Dodson for his question and also his fine leadership in the Kimberley throughout these devastating floods. I recognise that there are a number of senators and members across all sides of politics who played a very important role, and I thank them all as well.

Before directly addressing Senator Dodson's question, I'd also like to give a quick update on the deployment of Australian personnel to Turkiye. Tomorrow it is expected that a deployment of 72 personnel from New South Wales Fire and Rescue, DFAT and the National Emergency Management Agency will depart for Turkiye, where they will be tasked by local authorities in supporting search and rescue efforts. These urban search and rescue personnel have internationally recognised skills, and I'm sure they will provide much needed support in ongoing efforts across the impacted communities. I'd like to thank those personnel for this incredible undertaking, and I'm sure I speak for everyone when I wish them well for a safe return.

In the meantime the Albanese government is continuing to work closely with the government to support the ongoing recovery in the Kimberley, following the recent devastating flooding. Two NEMA officers have been deployed to two locations in Western Australia to work in the Western Australian department's offices in Perth and with the local council in Derby, West Kimberley. NEMA is working closely with the National Indigenous Australians Agency to identify recovery needs at the community level. Of course, there are a large number of First Nations people who've been dramatically affected by these events, and the Albanese government believes it's essential that traditional owners are part of the conversation on how we support the Kimberley communities and to make sure the recovery happens the way those communities want and need.

Again, I'd like to thank Senator Dodson for his ongoing engagement with myself, my office and all of those communities around their recovery needs in the Kimberley. I was on the ground with Senator Dodson and the Prime Minister in Fitzroy Crossing, in early January, and I've seen the power of work being done. In total, more than $2.5 million in Commonwealth disaster assistance has been provided to around 3,200 people in affected communities in Western Australia today, and there's a range of joint support still available. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Dodson, a first supplementary?

Patrick Dodson (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last year, nearly every state and territory in Australia was impacted by natural disasters. Can the minister please outline what this government is doing to ensure communities that have been impacted are getting the support they need?

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

Thanks, again, Senator Dodson. I'm very pleased to say that under the Albanese Labor government, no matter what your postcode, no matter what electorate you live in, if you've been hit by a natural disaster you will receive support.

Since May, after our election, our government has provided $1.6 billion in direct payments to natural disaster impacted communities, across Australia, through the various recovery payments available. It is a sobering fact that $1.5 billion of this $1.6 billion has been delivered to residents of the state of New South Wales. We recognise that New South Wales communities have faced devastating and compounding flooding over the last 12 months, and we recognise that it's our responsibility as the federal government to show up in a crisis and keep showing up to help. What we don't recognise is whether those communities voted Labor, Liberal or Nationals. That's why, regardless of politics, we have continued to provide disaster funding, into the hundreds of millions of dollars, to very safe National Party seats, because those people need help. That is the right thing and that is exactly what we will keep doing.

The:

Senator Dodson, a second supplementary?

Patrick Dodson (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Is the minister aware of any examples of when governments did not ensure that communities impacted by natural disasters were delivered the support they needed?

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

Thanks, Senator Dodson. Unfortunately, just this week, we have seen that not all governments follow the apolitical approach of the Albanese government in supporting communities impacted by natural disasters. I was appalled to read reports that former New South Wales Deputy Premier and New South Wales National Party leader John Barilaro redirected funding away from certain communities that were devastated by the Black Summer bushfires. Why do you think funding was ripped away from them by the former Nationals leader in New South Wales? For one reason, and one reason alone—that's because they were held in state seats held by Labor members.

It seems the rorting disease that was in epidemic proportions under the federal Liberals and Nationals also spread its way to New South Wales. What is it with the Nationals and rorting public funds? We know the federal Nationals have lots of form on this. Let's forget about sports rorts for a moment. Let's forget about regional rorts. It even happened with disaster funding as well. Who will ever forget that in the Northern Rivers federal National seats got funding and Labor seats didn't? That is a disgraceful thing to occur and it will never happen under our government. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Tyrrell.

Honourable s enators interjecting—

Senator Tyrrell, please resume your seat. I have Senator Tyrrell on her feet. As I've reminded this place before, the crossbench get limited opportunities for questions, and to continue talking as she stood was rude and disrespectful. Please listen with respectful silence. Senator Tyrrell.