Anthony Albanese visits flood- ravaged North Queensland, urges people to visit region

Anthony Albanese has spoken out after seeing the “unprecedented” scale of the flood damage in Far North Queensland.

Anthony Albanese has expressed his shock at the “unprecedented” scale of the flood damage in Far North Queensland, urging Australians not to cancel their holiday bookings to the devastated region.

The Prime Minister on Thursday afternoon touched down in Cairns, where a massive clean-up is under way after record floods driven by ex-tropical cyclone Jasper dumped a year’s worth of rain across the state’s far north.

“I joined in a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and each of the mayors in nine local government-affected areas. It was quite horrific what they are going through,” Mr Albanese said.

Anthony Albanese visited residents affected by recent flooding Picture: Emily Baker/NCA NewsWire.

“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.

SES volunteers helped rescued hundreds of people from rising floodwaters. Picture: Emily Barker/NCA NewsWire.

“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.

Primary producers who have suffered direct damage from the cyclone and floods will be able to apply for grants of up to $75,000 to assist with short-term recovery, including pasture rehabilitation, replacing livestock, and infrastructure repairs.

Relief comes after the government announced additional financial assistance for flood victims on Wednesday.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles and Emergency Services Minister Murray Watt joined the visit. Picture: Emily Baker/NCA NewsWire.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles said the state needed to focus on its economic recovery through its “inevitable” tourism downturn in the wake of the cyclone.

“We will continue to look to what the region needs throughout this recovery and make sure we are delivering it,” he said.

“I think that this signals to the Queensland community that we will continue to listen and we will continue to act quickly.”

Mr Albanese thanked emergency services workers and volunteers for their efforts. Picture: Emily Baker/NCA NewsWire.

As of Thursday, about 3500 homes across the region were still without power and about 1400 properties had been damaged. About 3000 insurance claims have been lodged ahead of Christmas as many local businesses in flood-affected areas remain closed.

The prime minister said it was an “extraordinary achievement” that no lives had been lost.

“I just pay tribute to those people, whether they be full-time emergency services or from Fire and Rescue, the police, the Australian Defence Force, or whether they be volunteers,” Mr Albanese said.

“It happens every time – at the worst of disasters, we see the best of the Australian character – Australians chipping in to help their fellow citizens and their mates.”