STORM ASSISTANCE

“Snowy Valleys, Maitland and Port Stephens Local Government Areas have been allocated joint Federal-State Government assistance for storm damage.

“I have spoken to the Federal Minister for Emergency Management of Australia, Senator Jenny McAllister and the Shadow Minister, Senator Perin Davey, about the widespread damage across the Riverina region.

“I have also had conversations with both the New South Wales Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib, as well as portfolio Shadow Minister Gurmesh Singh in relation to what steps must next be taken.

“I very much appreciate all of the work they are doing with their relevant departments and my local State colleagues Steph Cooke (Cootamundra), Dr Joe McGirr (Wagga Wagga) and Wes Fang MLC to ensure people and communities are assisted in a fast and fair way.

“As the State Minister said in his media conference today, the list of LGAs that have so far received assistance is certainly not an exhaustive list and the State will continue to work closely with councils in days and weeks to come.

“I have also received detailed updates this afternoon from WWCC, Coolamon and Cowra General Managers Peter Thompson, Tony Donoghue and Paul Devery respectively as well as Ray Johnston from the Cowra SES.

“Whilst I acknowledge that the State first needs to activate the necessary declarations for the Commonwealth to act, the Senators and State MPs in these Ministerial and Shadow Ministerial roles are now well aware of the extent of the damage, particularly through Wagga Wagga, Gumly Gumly, Downside, Marrar, Cowra and elsewhere locally from Wednesday’s wild weather.

“I will continue to work with local councils to see what further assistance may be required as assessments and clean-ups continue.

“Thanks again to the outstanding efforts of State Emergency Services, Police, Fire and Ambulance officers as well as our remarkable local Australian Defence Force personnel who swung quickly into action as soon as the storms hit, to provide assistance however and wherever needed.

“You always see the best of Australians in the worst of times.”

ENDS

Paul Pfitzner