Nita Green (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Emergency Management, Senator McAllister. Over the last week, we have seen ongoing flooding and severe weather impacting communities across North Queensland. I know the Prime Minister joined you in North Queensland last week in visiting affected communities. Can the minister update the Senate on the current situation?

Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Emergency Management) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Green, for your commitment to the people of North Queensland. Last week, I was able to witness firsthand the incredible efforts of our first responders as they helped the people of North Queensland who were impacted by severe rain and flooding—emergency service workers, energy and telco workers, council staff and volunteers. I want to also thank our ADF personnel. They stepped in, assisting by knocking on doors, but they have also done an extraordinary job supporting the recovery, including constructing a temporary bridge on the Bruce Highway at Ollera Creek and resupplying communities using helicopter assets.

Now, I was joined by Prime Minister Albanese, by the Queensland Premier, Mr Crisafulli, and by local mayors in the Queensland Disaster Management Committee, which is a terrific example of collaboration, of political leadership and of people coming together from every level to support our communities in crisis. I want to acknowledge those mayors. They have led their communities, often while managing challenges in their own homes and in their own workplaces.

The situation in North Queensland remains dynamic and challenging. This is not over. We are asking people to think very carefully about their own safety and the safety of their communities. Local conditions could change rapidly. Flood warnings are in place in catchments across the region. It is important that people stay informed of local conditions and follow the advice of authorities. As the situation develops, we will stand by Queensland communities. We will provide practical support in their recovery.

I want to make some remarks too about the national situation. In addition to what is happening in Queensland, we are monitoring a tropical low in Western Australia as well as a number of bushfires that are burning across parts of Victoria, Tasmania and Western Australia. I thank all of those involved in recent weeks and months and all those who stand ready to support communities. (Time expired)

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

Senator Green, first supplementary?

Nita Green (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I know the Albanese Labor government is working closely with the Queensland government to respond and to support communities in North Queensland to recover and to build back better. Could the minister update the chamber on the support available to affected communities?

Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Emergency Management) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Many Queenslanders have experienced a very difficult week, and they are now facing the daunting task of cleaning up their homes and their communities. Our first priority is people. Senator Gallagher and I have announced that there will be Australian government disaster recovery payments and the disaster recovery allowance for several of the worst-impacted communities. Through jointly funded payments with the Queensland government, we are also activating other measures, including personal hardship assistance payments, and thousands of Queenslanders have already been supported through this hardship support. Many more will continue to access this over the coming days and weeks.

For primary producers, small businesses and not-for-profits, we have activated concessional loans in the hardest-hit local government areas. Local governments are at the coalface of the response. In addition to the local government support for counter-disaster operations, we have established an $8 million community relief fund to support a number of councils. Recovery will take time, and we will be there with Queenslanders.

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

Senator Green, second supplementary?

Nita Green (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I know all senators are appreciative of the work that emergency services personnel do in these times of crisis and all the work they do to help communities prepare, respond and recover. With increasingly severe and frequent crises, how has the Albanese Labor government backed frontline workers and worked to improve the capacity of government to support emergency management?

Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Emergency Management) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Emergency service personnel around Australia are responding to floods, to heatwaves, to bushfires and to severe weather conditions. I want to acknowledge the work that they do all year round. These are Australians that are rightly proud of their public service, and they should know that they have a government that is proud of them.

States and territories lead in these circumstances, but we want to be good partners to the states and territories. We have increased the national aerial firefighting fleet to include three heavy-lift and multi-use helicopters alongside the large air tanker. We have invested in the national emergency stockpile. It includes resources that states can use when they need them, including emergency housing, large generators, water filtration and purification equipment, water pumps and flood barriers. We're investing in disaster risk reduction through our Disaster Ready Fund to help communities better prepare for future disasters. These are practical measures that we are taking to protect Australians and support the incredible personnel that work in this sector. (Time expired)