Pat Conaghan (Cowper, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yesterday, parts of my electorate in Coffs Harbour, Sawtell and Toormina were hammered by a ferocious hailstorm, which caused major damage to Toormina Gardens Shopping Centre as well as nursing homes in the area and a lot of private properties. As at midday today, the SES had had 911 requests for assistance. I have been advised that an additional 23 SES units from around the electorate have been dispatched to assist with the clean-up. I'm very relieved to say that there were no injuries reported.

I thank all of the SES and RFS volunteers, as well as the police and rescue units, which immediately responded after the storm. I can advise that I have spoken to Bridget McKenzie, the Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience, who in turn contacted her counterpart in the New South Wales state government, Minister David Elliott, to offer federal assistance if it is required. I've conveyed that also to the member for Coffs Harbour, Gurmesh Singh, and Mayor Denise Knight.

I say to all the residents: 'If you are having trouble getting assistance, there is currently an SES command centre at Toormina soccer fields on Toormina Road, so reach out to them. You can reach out to my office.' I say to the insurance companies: 'Please treat your customers well. We'll be watching.' (Time expired)