Prime Minister Scott Morrison hit back at claims his government has not provided enough financial assistance to flood victims in NSW and Queensland, saying there was $2.1 billion on the table and $1 billion already “in the pockets” of those affected.

Only days before a federal election is expected to be called, Mr Morrison’s character was again questioned on Tuesday, with NSW upper house Liberal MP Catherine Cusack saying she could not bring herself to vote for him in the May poll.