‘Carnage’: Flood-hit kids share devastation with PM
Anthony Albanese has toured a family’s flood hit property, much to the delight of two young brothers who now face the prospect of repairing kilometres of fence to keep wild dogs out. SEE THE VIDEO
Federal Election
Don't miss out on the headlines from Federal Election. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Eggerling family celebrated at first when a “fair wedge” of rain fell on their property outside of Longreach— but then the water came back, both from the sky and from up north as it travelled down to the Channel Country.
It’s caused what Cooper Eggerling, 11, described as “a bit of carnage”.
It was certainly more rain than he or his younger siblings Jacob, 9, and Pippa, 6, had ever seen.
Their father Martin hadn’t copped that much rain either, nor did his father Barry in the 44 years the family has owned the 28,000 acre Wynn Downs.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese flew into the flood-affected region to see firsthand the damage that had been wrought.
The family managed to save most of their 5000-strong flock of sheep though it will be weeks before the full losses are known.
For now the immediate priority is fixing up 8km of destroyed dog exclusion fencing.
Cooper reckons the big job will make his parents “a bit anxious”.
“Because they’ve gotta get us doing it, and we’ll complain a bit because we don’t want to, because we’re kids,” he said.
The Eggerling boys were excited to meet the Prime Minister, with Cooper saying not many kids get the opportunity.
“We’ve seen him all over BTN,” Jacob said— revealing Mr Albanese’s decision to be subject himself to questioning by children for the long-running ABC program Behind The News has been worth it.
‘Could have come earlier’: PM’s delayed trip to flood victims
Flood-hit residents have questioned why it took Anthony Albanese so long to visit them as the PM flew into western Queensland on Saturday.
Mr Albanese came as the government announced it would unlock access to three months’ worth of support payments for people who can’t work due to the disaster.
His visit to the rain-soaked region comes days after Opposition Leader Peter Dutton did the same, and after Sky News host Paul Murray blasted the PM for not visiting earlier.
An estimated 150,000 head of livestock — including cattle, sheep and goats — are either dead or missing with the stock losses expected to escalate after the record breaking deluge swept through a land mass twice the size of Victoria.
The impact of the western Queensland flood is expected to have a more immediate impact on everyday Australians than Donald Trump’s 10 per cent tariffs, with the meat supply chain expected to slow down as a result of mass stock losses.
Prue Pidgeon said her parents properties had been inundated with unknown losses to livestock, while water supply facilities had been destroyed.
Her parents were still waiting for the water to recede, and hoping more was not coming, to assess the full extent of the damage.
Ms Pidgeon said she would have liked to have seen Mr Albanese in the region sooner given Mr Dutton and Premier David Crisafulli had visited.
“Given he’s in leadership at the moment, it would have been good to see him out earlier,’’ she said.
“Everyone would have definitely felt more supported.’’
She said she believed some people might feel let down by the timing of the visit today.
But she believed the PM would still be welcome in the town.
On Saturday Mr Albanese visited the Eggerling family farm in the western downs where concrete footings had been lifted by the floodwaters.
The PM spoke to Martin and Rebecca Eggerling, whose 28,000 acre sheep farm was inundated with more than a metre of water.
Mr Albanese will announce the latest federal support for the area — a disaster recovery allowance which provides people up to 13 weeks of financial help if they can’t work.
The amount of support will depend on a person’s individual circumstances, though people currently receiving the Farm Household Allowance aren’t eligible according to Services Australia information.
Disaster recovery one-off payments of $1000 per adult and $400 per child have already been activated in the Barcoo, Bulloo, Longreach, Paroo, Quilpie, and Winton council areas.
There are also grants and loan or between $75,000 and $250,000 to help farmers rebuild, with the catastrophe expected to cause many to be without incomes for years as cattle is restocked and infrastructure rebuilt.
Small businesses in the affected area have access to $25,000 in grant funding as well as loans of up to $250,000.
According to the latest Census data those three local government areas have a combined population of about 8000 people.
“The vision coming out of Western Queensland is truly shocking and distressing,” Mr Albanese said.
“My thoughts are with everyone affected by this flooding – my message to Queenslanders is we are here for you.
“My Government has been working with the Queensland Government to activate assistance and provide support. At the worst of times, we see the best of the Australian character.”
The significant flooding in western Queensland comes just as the region’s tourism season is set to begin, with industry players asking Australians to delay — but not cancel — their trips to the area.
More Coverage
Originally published as ‘Carnage’: Flood-hit kids share devastation with PM
Read related topics:Anthony Albanese
Join the conversation
Albo, Dutton to face off in first debate
The PM and Peter Dutton will go head-to-head in the first debate of the election campaign amid an ASX bloodbath, and fallout from the Coalition’s dumped WFH policy.
Read more
Dutton warns of global recession
The Opposition Leader’s grim prediction comes amid fears the stock market plunge could force Baby Boomers to delay their retirement.
Read more