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- Prime Minister Scott Morrison declares a national emergency after floods ravage the east coast
- The declaration will allow the federal government to distribute money and resources faster, but it will need approval from the Governor General, who the Prime Minister plans to ask on Friday
- After visiting the town of Lismore, he pledged more financial support to those affected by the floods including residents of Richmond Valley, Lismore, and Clarence Valley
- People located in these areas will be able to access an extra $2,000 for adults and $800 for children from the Disaster Recovery Payment scheme
- Sydney continues to see major flooding, however water levels are expected to recede in the coming days
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has declared a national emergency after floods ravage the east coast.
The declaration will allow the federal government to distribute money and resources faster, but it will need approval from the Governor-General, who the Prime Minister plans to ask on Friday.
The last national emergency was declared during the 2019 bushfires.
Today, Scott Morrison visited Lismore in northern New South Wales, which has been devastated by heavy downpours over the last few weeks.
He pledged more financial support to those affected by the floods, including residents of Richmond Valley, Lismore, and Clarence Valley.
People located in these areas will be able to access an extra $2,000 for adults and $800 for children from the Disaster Recovery Payment scheme.
The Prime Minister also took the chance to defend the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) response.
“I know there’s been some criticism both levelled at federal government, state government, but don’t blame the ADF, we won’t cop that,” he said.
“In fact there were ADF saving people with helicopters, winching them off roofs on Monday, that was occurring.
“But in any natural disaster, everyone has a role to play and the suggestion that it is only the governments that are involved in an emergency response, I don’t think the community would agree with that.”
Sydney has continued to see major flooding, however water levels are expected to recede in the coming days.
