Liberal NSW senator Hollie Hughes lashes Anthony Albanese over Qld visit amid fatal floods

A Liberal senator has accused the PM of “conveniently” stepping away from parliament to visit flood-ravaged communities, earning a furious response from Labor.

A Liberal senator has been condemned after she criticised Anthony Albanese for missing parliament to visit flood-ravaged towns in North Queensland.

Speaking in the Senate on Thursday, NSW senator Hollie Hughes said the Prime Minister “purposely” timed his Townsville trip in order to miss the parliament sitting on Thursday.

“The boss is away. He’s on a plane up to Townsville. Doesn’t want to talk to the Australian people through the parliament today, but he’s up there,” Senator Hughes said.

“It’s convenient timing, some may say, but he’s gone up there. Boss is away. Come on, let’s get some of your other guys up there.”

Liberal senator Hollie Hughes said Anthony Albanese’s visit to flood-ravaged Queensland during a sitting week was ‘convenient timing’. Picture: NewsWire/ Martin Ollman

Mr Albanese visited flood-ravaged areas of North Queensland alongside Queensland Premier David Crisafulli and Emergency Management and Cities Minister Jenny McAllister. Picture: PMO

Senator Hughes pushed back against objections from Queensland senator Murray Watt.

“I’ve lived through floods and I know how terrible they are, and the flood’s still going to be there after today,” she said.

Senator Hughes, who has been relegated to an unwinnable spot of the Liberal’s NSW senate ticket, was speaking on the Coalition’s Bill calling for an inquiry into anti-Semitism at Australian universities, which was defeated.

Following the outburst, Senator Watt said Senator Hughes’ remarks were “disgraceful”, saying it was “essential” for Mr Albanese to be on the ground.

ADF personnel conducting work at the Ollera Creek Bridge north of Townsville following flooding in North Queensland. Picture: PMO

He said Mr Albanese’s presence had already allowed the Commonwealth to “mobilise further support,” including the activation of emergency disaster payments of $1000 for adults and $400 for children.

The Queensland and Commonwealth government have also co-funded $8m to help local councils with immediate recovery and clean-up efforts.

Eligible local government areas include Burdekin, Cassowary Coast, Charters Towers, Hinchinbrook, Palm Island, Townsville, Whitsunday and Yarrabah councils.

“We’ve been working incredibly cooperatively with the Queensland government, despite the fact they’re from the other side of politics,” he said.

“It’d be really nice to have the federal opposition decide to support federal government efforts, rather than taking cheap shots and labelling the Prime Minister’s attendance in Townsville as convenient timing.”

Labor’s Queensland caucus including Murray Watt and Nita Green condemned Senator Hughes for her comments. Picture: NewsWire/ Martin Ollman

Labor Queensland senator Nita Green said flood-ravaged Queenslanders deserved a “full scale response from the Queensland and Australian government,” and called on Peter Dutton to apologise for Senator Hughes’ remarks.

“The Prime Minister is exactly where he should be today, talking to the people of North Queensland and working out how he can best assist along with the Queensland government, that is exactly what we are focused on today, and the people of North Queensland are hearing that directly from us,” she said.

“But unfortunately, Peter Dutton and Hollie Hughes were focused today on attacking the Prime Minister and making light of the floods in North Queensland, it’s completely unacceptable, disgusting, abhorrent, and Peter Dutton should be sent out now to apologise for these remarks.”

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said Mr Albanese’s visit to Queensland was ‘appropriate’. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

While the Opposition Leader didn’t go as far to condemn senator Hughes, he gave his support to Mr Albanese’s visit, and did not criticise his decision to miss question time, stating it was “a question of timing”.

“Look, I think it’s right for the Prime Minister to visit. It’s always difficult to know, particularly when the waters haven’t receded or people are still right in the thick of it,” he said.

“I made a decision not to go because I just think the emergency workers are still on the ground. People are still doing dealing with inundation.”

Originally published as Liberal NSW senator Hollie Hughes lashes Anthony Albanese over Qld visit amid fatal floods