'We look after each other': Prime Minister tours flood-ravaged towns and farms

The Advertiser

6 days ago

"At the worst of times, we see the best of the Australian character, and we see that on display here in this local community," said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during a visit to the flood-ravaged towns of Taree and Wingham and surrounding farms.
Mr Albanaese visited the NSW region on May 27 to witness first-hand the devastating damage to the area, and to talk with members of the community and farmers who have been affected by the disaster, as well as volunteers helping with the cleanup.
An inspection of The Bight Bridge in Wingham, which was destroyed in the flooding of the Manning River, was also on the agenda for Mr Albanese and his entourage.
Joining Mr Albanese at the press conference following the tour were federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain, state Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin, Member Elect for Lyne Alison Penfold, Metaer for Myall Lakes Tanya Thompson, Emily Suvaal MLC, MidCoast Council mayor Claire Pontin, NSW SES Commissioner Michael Wassing, and Acting CEO of NSW Reconstruction Authority Mal Lanyon APM.
Mr Albanese began by thanking the people who talked with him.
He mentioned farmers Rod and Milton welcomed Mr Albanese onto their farms.
"The loss of stock and the devastation we have witnessed first-hand has been only exceeded by the extraordinary resilience that these Australians are showing," Mr Albanese said.
Mr Albanese acknowledged that the damage done to farms and the loss of cattle will affect every Australian because of the damage to the dairy industry, and the impact that will have on the local economy.
He made special mention of people helping our community during and in the aftermath of the floods.
"Whether it's the Australian Defence Force, who arrived today with 70 personnel, the people from DRA - there'll be 100 here by the end of the week - the magnificent people from the SES and the other volunteers as well, this is the best of community spirit," Mr Albanese said.
"That says a lot of the Australian ethos, of who we are. We look after each other in difficult times, we don't leave people behind.
"Every level of government, every level of Australian society, stands with this community."
Mr Albanese also acknowledged that the long road recovery has only just begun and that it will take a long time.
Mr Albanese went on to outline financial help available to people who have been affected by the floods, including the Australian government Disaster Recovery Payment for people who have suffered the most severe impact, the extension of the Disaster Recovery Allowance for income support for people who can't attend work or are self employed and unable to earn an income, Personal Hardship Payments, support for disaster-affected councils for cleanup and repairing damage, and Primary Producers and Small Business support.
Mr Albanese acknowledged that with these supports, there will be more needed. However, at this stage the focus is on immediate assistance.
"At the worst of times, we see the best of the Australian character, and we see that on display here in this local community," said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during a visit to the flood-ravaged towns of Taree and Wingham and surrounding farms.
Mr Albanaese visited the NSW region on May 27 to witness first-hand the devastating damage to the area, and to talk with members of the community and farmers who have been affected by the disaster, as well as volunteers helping with the cleanup.
An inspection of The Bight Bridge in Wingham, which was destroyed in the flooding of the Manning River, was also on the agenda for Mr Albanese and his entourage.
Joining Mr Albanese at the press conference following the tour were federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain, state Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin, Member Elect for Lyne Alison Penfold, Metaer for Myall Lakes Tanya Thompson, Emily Suvaal MLC, MidCoast Council mayor Claire Pontin, NSW SES Commissioner Michael Wassing, and Acting CEO of NSW Reconstruction Authority Mal Lanyon APM.
Mr Albanese began by thanking the people who talked with him.
He mentioned farmers Rod and Milton welcomed Mr Albanese onto their farms.
"The loss of stock and the devastation we have witnessed first-hand has been only exceeded by the extraordinary resilience that these Australians are showing," Mr Albanese said.
Mr Albanese acknowledged that the damage done to farms and the loss of cattle will affect every Australian because of the damage to the dairy industry, and the impact that will have on the local economy.
He made special mention of people helping our community during and in the aftermath of the floods.
"Whether it's the Australian Defence Force, who arrived today with 70 personnel, the people from DRA - there'll be 100 here by the end of the week - the magnificent people from the SES and the other volunteers as well, this is the best of community spirit," Mr Albanese said.
"That says a lot of the Australian ethos, of who we are. We look after each other in difficult times, we don't leave people behind.
"Every level of government, every level of Australian society, stands with this community."
Mr Albanese also acknowledged that the long road recovery has only just begun and that it will take a long time.
Mr Albanese went on to outline financial help available to people who have been affected by the floods, including the Australian government Disaster Recovery Payment for people who have suffered the most severe impact, the extension of the Disaster Recovery Allowance for income support for people who can't attend work or are self employed and unable to earn an income, Personal Hardship Payments, support for disaster-affected councils for cleanup and repairing damage, and Primary Producers and Small Business support.
Mr Albanese acknowledged that with these supports, there will be more needed. However, at this stage the focus is on immediate assistance.
"At the worst of times, we see the best of the Australian character, and we see that on display here in this local community," said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during a visit to the flood-ravaged towns of Taree and Wingham and surrounding farms.
Mr Albanaese visited the NSW region on May 27 to witness first-hand the devastating damage to the area, and to talk with members of the community and farmers who have been affected by the disaster, as well as volunteers helping with the cleanup.
An inspection of The Bight Bridge in Wingham, which was destroyed in the flooding of the Manning River, was also on the agenda for Mr Albanese and his entourage.
Joining Mr Albanese at the press conference following the tour were federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain, state Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin, Member Elect for Lyne Alison Penfold, Metaer for Myall Lakes Tanya Thompson, Emily Suvaal MLC, MidCoast Council mayor Claire Pontin, NSW SES Commissioner Michael Wassing, and Acting CEO of NSW Reconstruction Authority Mal Lanyon APM.
Mr Albanese began by thanking the people who talked with him.
He mentioned farmers Rod and Milton welcomed Mr Albanese onto their farms.
"The loss of stock and the devastation we have witnessed first-hand has been only exceeded by the extraordinary resilience that these Australians are showing," Mr Albanese said.
Mr Albanese acknowledged that the damage done to farms and the loss of cattle will affect every Australian because of the damage to the dairy industry, and the impact that will have on the local economy.
He made special mention of people helping our community during and in the aftermath of the floods.
"Whether it's the Australian Defence Force, who arrived today with 70 personnel, the people from DRA - there'll be 100 here by the end of the week - the magnificent people from the SES and the other volunteers as well, this is the best of community spirit," Mr Albanese said.
"That says a lot of the Australian ethos, of who we are. We look after each other in difficult times, we don't leave people behind.
"Every level of government, every level of Australian society, stands with this community."
Mr Albanese also acknowledged that the long road recovery has only just begun and that it will take a long time.
Mr Albanese went on to outline financial help available to people who have been affected by the floods, including the Australian government Disaster Recovery Payment for people who have suffered the most severe impact, the extension of the Disaster Recovery Allowance for income support for people who can't attend work or are self employed and unable to earn an income, Personal Hardship Payments, support for disaster-affected councils for cleanup and repairing damage, and Primary Producers and Small Business support.
Mr Albanese acknowledged that with these supports, there will be more needed. However, at this stage the focus is on immediate assistance.
"At the worst of times, we see the best of the Australian character, and we see that on display here in this local community," said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during a visit to the flood-ravaged towns of Taree and Wingham and surrounding farms.
Mr Albanaese visited the NSW region on May 27 to witness first-hand the devastating damage to the area, and to talk with members of the community and farmers who have been affected by the disaster, as well as volunteers helping with the cleanup.
An inspection of The Bight Bridge in Wingham, which was destroyed in the flooding of the Manning River, was also on the agenda for Mr Albanese and his entourage.
Joining Mr Albanese at the press conference following the tour were federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain, state Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin, Member Elect for Lyne Alison Penfold, Metaer for Myall Lakes Tanya Thompson, Emily Suvaal MLC, MidCoast Council mayor Claire Pontin, NSW SES Commissioner Michael Wassing, and Acting CEO of NSW Reconstruction Authority Mal Lanyon APM.
Mr Albanese began by thanking the people who talked with him.
He mentioned farmers Rod and Milton welcomed Mr Albanese onto their farms.
"The loss of stock and the devastation we have witnessed first-hand has been only exceeded by the extraordinary resilience that these Australians are showing," Mr Albanese said.
Mr Albanese acknowledged that the damage done to farms and the loss of cattle will affect every Australian because of the damage to the dairy industry, and the impact that will have on the local economy.
He made special mention of people helping our community during and in the aftermath of the floods.
"Whether it's the Australian Defence Force, who arrived today with 70 personnel, the people from DRA - there'll be 100 here by the end of the week - the magnificent people from the SES and the other volunteers as well, this is the best of community spirit," Mr Albanese said.
"That says a lot of the Australian ethos, of who we are. We look after each other in difficult times, we don't leave people behind.
"Every level of government, every level of Australian society, stands with this community."
Mr Albanese also acknowledged that the long road recovery has only just begun and that it will take a long time.
Mr Albanese went on to outline financial help available to people who have been affected by the floods, including the Australian government Disaster Recovery Payment for people who have suffered the most severe impact, the extension of the Disaster Recovery Allowance for income support for people who can't attend work or are self employed and unable to earn an income, Personal Hardship Payments, support for disaster-affected councils for cleanup and repairing damage, and Primary Producers and Small Business support.
Mr Albanese acknowledged that with these supports, there will be more needed. However, at this stage the focus is on immediate assistance.