House debates Questions without Notice

New South Wales Floods

Tuesday, 12 May 2009 House of Representatives

Luke Hartsuyker

Luke Hartsuyker Cowper, National Party, Deputy Manager of Opposition Business in the House

3:43 pm

My question is to the Prime Minister. Following the recent disaster recovery payments made to residents of Queensland affected by flooding, why has the Prime Minister not acted decisively to provide similar cash payments to victims of recent flooding on the New South Wales North Coast? Has the Prime Minister broken his promise to the Australian people that he will govern for all Australians?

Kevin Rudd

Kevin Rudd Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister

I thank the honourable member for Cowper for his question. On the matter that he raises concerning flooding in northern New South Wales, the government is universal in its approach to providing proper assistance when all the criteria have been met. On the matter which the honourable member has raised, I will examine it further and I will come back to him in due course.