PM Anthony Albanese makes sneak visit to Hervey Bay after flood

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made a surprise visit to Hervey Bay on Tuesday, revealed only by his appearance on two politicians’ Facebook pages.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has made a sneak visit to Hervey Bay as the flood-ravaged city continues to recover from its inundation in the days after Cyclone Alfred made landfall. Picture: Facebook.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made an unannounced visit to Hervey Bay on Tuesday, nine days after the city was inundated with torrential rain and freak flash flooding from what was left of Cyclone Alfred.

A Facebook post by Fraser Coast councillor Lachlan Cosgrove early Tuesday afternoon alerted the public to Mr Albanese’s secret visit.

He is believed to have been joined by Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour, Labor Senator Anthony Chisholm and Hinkler Labor candidate Trish Mears.

The storm officially dumped 261mm of rain on the city, although residents’ rain gauges reportedly recorded falls of between 400mm and 500mm in some areas, flooding the city centre and wreaking havoc.

Floodwaters inundated more than 1600 homes across the Fraser Coast city, and forced the evacuation of 32 elderly residents from their aged care home to safer ground in the early hours of the morning.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on his secret visit to Hervey Bay as the flood-ravaged city continues to recover from its inundation in the days after Cyclone Alfred made landfall. Picture: Facebook.

Mr Cosgrove said on his Facebook poast it was “great” to have the Prime Minister in town to “show his support for all those affected by Ex Tropical Cyclone Alfred”.

In published remarks from his visit, Mr Albanese said the region “got hit hard” but “the recovery has been pretty swift”.

“At the worst of times we see the best of the Australian character,” he said.

“And what we saw over this disaster, Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred was extraordinary efforts being made by people.

“Whether they be people on the council, people working for energy companies, people fixing up things, people helping their neighbours, the Australian Defence Force, the SES, people really pitching in to help their fellow Australians, and that’s what we do in this country.

“The best part of what makes us the best country on Earth is the way that we look after each other, particularly in tough times - so thank you for what you have done.”

Mr Albanese’s visit to the city comes less than two months before the looming 2025 federal election.

No date has yet been called for the election, but it must be held no later than Saturday, May 17.

It was originally expected to be called for April 12, but this date was scuttled in the immediate aftermath of Cyclone Alfred.