Independent senator Jacqui Lambie says she “doesn’t care” that the Prime Minister had Covid-19 amid deadly and devastating northern NSW floods and questioned why it took so long to declare a national emergency.
Scott Morrison visited Lismore on Wednesday after he was released from isolation and announced a state of emergency – 10 days after Lismore and the surrounding Northern Rivers were hit by the worst flooding on record.
Mr Morrison announced a raft of measures to help flood-affected residents, including additional weekly disaster payments for people in the Lismore, Richmond Valley and Clarence Valley local government areas.
He also recommended a national emergency declaration be made by the Governor-General in response to the floods, which, if approved, wxjmtzywill unlock additional funding and resources and cut red tape.
But locals gathered outside the media centre, visibly frustrated by the government they say has let them down, prompting Mr Morrison to “sneak in the back door”.
Senator Lambie on Thursday said she could sympathise with residents.
“What Tasmanians have been saying to me is we’ve been watching it over the last two weeks, and why has it taken so long to call a national emergency in there?” she told the Nine Network.
“That should have been done two weeks ago, I don’t care if he’s had Covid. The rest of us can see what is going on.
“Look at (those pictures), it brings tears to your eyes. Come on. This should have been done two weeks ago and things should have been moving.
“It’s always really late with Morrison. It is too late. Those payments, get them out. I don’t care who needs them, get those payments out because people are going to need them now.
“Just get the job done.”
Mr Morrison also defended the Australian Defence Force’s response during the floods, saying they had done “an amazing job”.
In announcing the financial package to support flood victims, Mr Morrison said residents of the catastrophe zone would be able to access a further $2000 per adult and $800 per child.
“While people in northern NSW aren’t able to work, are still clearing out their homes and businesses. The extra two lots of $1000 payments we’re rolling out to eligible families and individuals will give them some certainty as they start to rebuild their lives,” Mr Morrison said.
