Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. I note the government's prompt attention and response to deal with the impacts of Cyclone Alfred in Queensland and New South Wales. Right now, several communities in Central Queensland have been cut off by floodwaters as a 1,600-kilometre monsoon trough dumps rain across Queensland and the Northern Territory. Will the minister, please, explain what assistance is being provided by the Australian government to flood affected communities in Queensland?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Obviously, that would generally be an issue that falls within Senator McAllister's portfolio, so I'll try and provide what information I can. I understand that, currently, there is, as you said, severe weather and flooding—

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm just wondering if maybe I could answer Senator Hanson's question? Thank you.

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

Stop the chatting across the chamber. Please continue, Minister.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I understand there is widespread, severe weather and flooding, ongoing—

It's floods in Queensland, Senator McGrath. I would have thought you'd be interested in this.

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

Order across the chamber, Senator Green! I'm sorry, Senator Hanson. You have your right to have your question answered.

Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I want to hear what the minister has to say. I've lost about 15 seconds of her response, so I'd like to get a decent response in the time.

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

Thank you, Senator Hanson. Please continue, Minister.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I understand that there is, as you said, widespread flooding across south-west Queensland, and a severe thunderstorm warning is current for parts of Queensland. I won't go through all of the information about that. As you probably know, Senator, there is a distinction between national emergency events and those which are dealt with by state governments. I'm sure Senator McAllister, much more eloquently than I, could explain when one moves from a state response to a national response. To date, there is not a national emergency event which has been triggered, and that response has not been triggered, but, of course, the government would stand ready in circumstances where those arrangements would need to be triggered.

Obviously, we know that what occurred in relation to the ex-tropical cyclone in southern Queensland, South-East Queensland and northern New South Wales was very difficult for the community. You would have seen that the government made it a very important priority to not only deliver services and support but also ensure Senator McAllister, Senator Sheldon and the Prime Minister were available to assist Premier Crisafulli and others.

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

Before I call Senator Hanson, I expect that Senator Hanson will be able to ask her first and second supplementary questions in silence and be given the courtesy and respect to hear the answers in silence. Senator Hanson, first supplementary?

Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, these floods, which came with little or no warning, have had a serious impact on livestock farmers in affected areas. These farmers were dealing with drought only a week ago. What specific assistance is the government providing to livestock farmers in these areas so that the economic impact of these floods will not linger in their communities?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hanson, as I understand it, Queensland is leading the recovery response. If Queensland seeks national assistance then obviously they would engage with us. I'm also advised that NEMA, the National Emergency Management Agency, has been in contact with state counterparts. We continue to monitor the situation. As yet, that assistance has not been sought, and, were it to be sought, I'm sure you would see an appropriate response from the government.

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

Senator Hanson, second supplementary?

Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The mayor of Quilpie has said that there is currently no weather radar service between Alice Springs and Charleville, effectively leaving local communities blind to potentially devastating floods and hampering planning and response efforts. Will the minister please explain why this region lacks a critical weather-forecasting service and when the government will address this oversight?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Hanson. I would assume that that forecasting would be a matter for the Bureau of Meteorology. I'll stand corrected if that's not correct. I don't have any information on that, but I'm happy to take that on notice and provide some information.