Andrew Gee (Calare, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

Last year, it was announced that emergency responders, volunteers and community workers involved in the February and March 2022 floods in northern New South Wales and Queensland were rightly eligible for the National Emergency Medal. However, despite the extraordinary acts of courage and service from our responders and volunteers during the central western New South Wales floods of November 2022, these Australian heroes are still not eligible for this honour and recognition. Eugowra was the scene of the biggest helicopter rescue in Australia's history.

Last year, I wrote to the Governor-General and the Prime Minister requesting that the medal be made available to those who served during that traumatic and tragic time for our region. In July last year, I met with the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister to request that he raise this with the National Emergency Medal Committee. He undertook to do so. During question time last year, I asked the Prime Minister whether the medal would be extended to those who served during the Central West floods. I was told by the then minister for home affairs that the government would liaise with the National Emergency Medal Committee and come back to me with a response.

The Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister later confirmed that the medal committee had been contacted. However, to date, no further information has been forthcoming. I once again urge the government and the Governor-General to extend eligibility for the National Emergency Medal to those who served the Central West with such distinction during the devastating floods of 2022. Our community members deserve nothing less.

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