Editor’s view: Focus needs to be on saving lives first

The timing of Steven Miles’ cheap political point scoring as he questioned the Premier’s response to the ongoing floods in Townsville is questionable, if not childish, writes the editor. Now is the time to act. Lives are at risk.

It’s happening again – the emergency alerts, the evacuations, flood warnings and the heartache are all, once again, being felt across the north as the “Wet’’ arrives with a vengeance.

But as certain as the summer monsoonal rains are, so too is the certainty that in times of crisis Queenslanders will always come together to help each other out.

Yesterday SES crews in their orange overalls were on northbound flights from the southeast, joining the swift water rescue teams, firefighters and police, all standing ready to do what they can to protect lives and property.

Premier David Crisafulli has an intimate knowledge of what these extreme weather events can do to communities, having grown up in North Queensland.

But this will be the first time he will have to deal with this type of natural disaster as Premier.

Extreme weather events and leaders’ response to them, can make or break premierships.

Which is probably why Opposition Leader Steven Miles has gone on the attack over what he claims has been Mr Crisafulli’s failure to properly mobilise the state’s disaster management group.

John Wilkinson, from Townsville shows the flooding event in his area. Picture: Facebook

Mr Miles claims it is the first time in more than a decade that the Queensland Disaster Management Committee was not engaged in time to deal with a disaster, something he said never happened under his leadership and was the result of the Premier being “too lazy”.

The timing of this cheap political point scoring from the opposition is questionable, if not childish.

The Bureau of Meteorology has warned the extreme weather conditions could be life threatening, while thousands of people stand to suffer significant damage to their homes and businesses, with more than a metre of rain expected to hit the region over the coming days.

There is no doubt – when this crisis is over – that the state’s response to it should be examined.

ADF personnel door knocking homes in Hermit Park Townsville as flood waters start to rise. Picture: Adam Head

From every natural disaster lessons should be learned on how things can be done better and quicker.

But for now the danger is still present and the focus should be on protecting lives and livelihoods.

And while residents in North Queensland are used to these events and our own Queensland Reconstruction Authority has made a host of improvements to infrastructure in the region, there are, unquestionably, some new challenges presenting themselves this time around.

Thousands of North Queenslanders have simply opted out of insurance cover in recent years as premiums soared beyond the reach of household budgets.

That could have devastating financial consequences which could become apparent in the weeks ahead.

Residents fill sandbags at Lou Lister Park. Picture: Evan Morgan

There is also the question of our ongoing labour shortage, which may well hinder any rebuilding program required after the water subsides.

Towns could be isolated for weeks with the Bruce Highway frustratingly, but unsurprisingly, cut in multiple areas. The Albanese government’s pledge to provide $9bn to upgrade the troubled highway won’t help this time but it can’t come soon enough.

But we do have one great resource which never fails us – the people of the north. And we urge everyone in the firing line to stay safe and heed the warnings of our emergency services who are again putting their lives in danger to protect others.