Election 2022: Fiona Phillips blasts PM on Kangaroo Valley response as township remains isolated
Weeks after a landslip completely cut off Kangaroo Valley leaving businesses struggling to stay afloat, Labor’s Fiona Phillips has blasted the government for “abandoning” the township.
The South Coast News
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Fiona Phillips has blasted the government for its response to a devastating landslip near Kangaroo Valley that has left the popular tourist town cut off for weeks.
The Labor candidate for Gilmore visited the town of less than 1000 on Easter Monday, and said her calls on the Federal Government to release disaster relief payments had fallen on deaf ears.
“The Morrison government has completely abandoned the people in Kangaroo Valley,” Ms Phillips said.
“There are federal relief payments that residents are not even eligible for.”
On Tuesday, Ms Phillips released a letter she had written to the Minister for Emergency Management, National Recovery and Resilience, Bridget McKenzie dated March 29.
In the letter, Ms Phillips called on the government to advise communities, including those in the Kangaroo Valley, why they had been unsuccessful in obtaining disaster relief payments.
“Given the conditions of the local roads, could you also advise what action the Commonwealth Government is taking to repair road infrastructure in the Kangaroo Valley?” the letter reads.
“I am requesting that you ensure the Kangaroo Valley community can have the help and support that they need.”
On Tuesday, a public bus in Kangaroo Valley began shuttling residents to and from the isolated township and the Southern Highlands. Previously, residents had only been able to enter with a guided escort, or by ATV.
The isolation has had a wide-reaching effect on local residents, cutting them off from any visitors.
Businesses have struggled to cope with the sudden and almost complete drop off in tourists.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, one business owner said they earned just $7 in a day.
“The government has an emergency relief fund of nearly $5 billion that they have not spent,” Ms Phillips said.
“We had people in Kangaroo Valley cut off by that landslip, and they’re not even eligible.
“It’s not good enough.”
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