Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meets the Principal of Forbes Public School Meg Staples.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Forbes on Monday a mere 11 months after his predecessor was in town to once again see first-hand the effects of the fifth flood in 12 years for this region.
He was accompanied by NSW Premier Dom Perrottet and other senior politicians meeting with the SES, flood affected residents, farmers, principals, community organisation representatives and councillors.
The raising of the Wyangala dam wall took prominence during question time with Member for Riverina Michael McCormack issuing a statement afterwards to reaffirm his support for the raising of the wall.
In his response, the PM said commitments and funding in the budget could only be made once the business case for the project was completed. He gave his assurance that infrastructure investments would continue under his government in NSW and the regions.
The PM acknowledged the impact of the flood on the community “as well as the ongoing impact it will have on infrastructure, including local roads, and the farming community who were expecting bumper crops and many have now been devastated and ruined. We are living in very dangerous times with more events forecast for the coming days and weeks.
“The work that will continue is beyond politics, and all levels of government will work together to get resources to people in need,” the PM said.
As for the loss of up to 60% of crops in some parts of the Forbes Shire, Agriculture and Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt said he was in discussion with the state governments about extra support for farmers.
The PM said all levels of government would work together to get resources to people in need.
You can find out more here if you’re eligible for a disaster relief payment and how you can claim it: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/natural-disaster-events