Anthony Albanese all smiles during power-walk through flood-ravaged Cairns community
As Anthony Albanese says he has been left stunned by the “unprecedented” scale of the flood damage in Far North Queensland, some locals weren’t impressed with the PM’s ‘entourage’.
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Anthony Albanese has been stunned by the “unprecedented” scale of the flood damage in Far North Queensland and has urged Australians not to cancel their holiday bookings to the region.
“It was quite horrific what they are going through,” Mr Albanese said.
“The impact of the flood has been devastating for the region, but it will be worse if the economy dips in the coming weeks and months, so we need people to provide that support for the tourism sector.”
The state’s local tourism industry is estimated to lose up to $125m after hundreds of bookings were cancelled in the aftermath of the category 2 storm.
Mr Albanese announced $64m in new funding after travelling to one of the region’s worst-hit communities, Holloways Beach in north Cairns, where residents have been left homeless after hundreds of homes were inundated with floodwater.
“I have great confidence that the people and businesses of Tropical North Queensland will not only survive but thrive into the future,” Mr Albanese said.
“The resilience that we’ve seen from communities in places like Holloways Beach this morning was quite extraordinary – Queenslanders getting things done.”
The new support package includes $50m in recovery grants for small businesses, not-for-profits and local providers and $9m in grants for eligible local government areas.
Mr Albanese completed a smiley five-minute power-walk on Palm St at Holloways Beach as his political offsiders got more natter time than the mud-spattered residents.
Palm St resident Steve Habel said the scene reminded him of a funeral procession.
“He had an entourage of god knows how many people … it was a disgusting look,” Mr Habel said.
“It was a publicity walk-through. I was shocked … he barely talked to anyone.”
Mr Albanese then met with a host of local industry hotshots at the Cairns Convention Centre.
“We’re announcing $25m for small business and non-government organisations, $25m for primary producers, and (nine) local government areas will get a straight top-up because of the increased costs that are there,” he said.
“As the flood water recede, we don’t want to see the visitors recede, or the economy recede.
During the flood calamity, Cairns came within two hours of running out of water.
On Thursday night the Cairns Regional Council revealed the capital cost of its water security project had skyrocketed to $472m, $257m more than the funding it secured for the project in 2022.
The council said it would advocate to the federal and state governments for more money.
When asked, Mr Albanese made no further funding promises for the project.
“We have already supported funding for water security. Should there be any further submissions we give proper consideration. My government isn’t one that makes fiscal commitments on the run,” he said.
A bipartisan group of Far North politicians recently said there was an imperative for the federal government to bring forward construction of the Cairns Western Arterial Rd duplication project, as the road had demonstrated itself as one of the few Far North major transport routes impervious to a one-in-100-year flood event.
Mr Albanese said his government was still working on the project.
“When it comes to infrastructure, we have a $120bn (pipeline) … when it comes to that project, we will work with the Queensland Government on a timetable to make sure construction can occur, as funding is available,” he said.
According to insurance industry pundits, the recent flood crisis demonstrated the reinsurance pool scheme had more holes than Swiss cheese.
Mr Albanese said a review of the scheme could be possible.
“Whenever an event occurs we will examine what occurred and whether there are any lessons to be learnt,” he said.
“Insurance companies should honour legitimate claims being put forward.”
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