Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Calare for his question. As he knows, I went to Eugowra on two occasions during that period, including with the member. We provided substantial support in partnership, not just to Eugowra but to places like Forbes. I think the redistribution might have had an impact, but they were in the member for Riverina's electorate at that time as well. And we worked with the state government to ensure that that community that had been devastated received support. It was quite extraordinary seeing the power of the floodwaters lifting up whole bridges and moving them. Steel structures were literally hundreds of metres from where they had been for many, many decades. In addition to that, the human impact was devastating on that community.

But it was terrific to go with the member and to see firsthand the resilience of those communities and be able to thank emergency service workers and others. At the worst of times we always see the best of the Australian character, and we did on that occasion as well. I'll take on notice that question by the member and will respond appropriately to him, and I undertake to do that in the next week. I know that he is very passionate as a local member in being a strong advocate on these issues and that these communities certainly have suffered a lot. I thank him for the question, and I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.

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