Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Cox. Over the weekend, we have seen incredible efforts by first responders who have helped communities across the Northern Territory who were impacted by Tropical Cyclone Fina. I want to thank the Territorians who played their role, heeding the advice from relevant agencies, keeping themselves and their communities safe. Our government wants to be good partners to the Northern Territory government and will work hand in hand with them to ensure Territorians do have the support that they need to recover. We have staff from the National Emergency Management Agency embedded in the emergency operations centre to ensure that the Australian government can consider any request for assistance as soon as possible.

You're right, Senator Cox, that Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain was on the ground up in the Territory yesterday to speak with communities and offer assistance to the NT government. She also joined the member for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour, and Senator McCarthy in the Tiwi Islands and took the opportunity to deliver food to communities there as well. I know that members and senators across both chambers have worked hard to support their communities and to keep them updated. While Tropical Cyclone Fina is weakening, the situation remains dynamic. Senator Cox, as your question indicated, Tropical Cyclone Fina crossed the Kimberley coast. It does remain important for communities, particularly in Western Australia, to heed emergency advice as this tropical cyclone finishes its track. Our government will continue to monitor the situation, and we stand ready to consider any requests for assistance that may be made by the Western Australian government.