MPS shared city’s pain
IN relation to David
Thoumine’s letter to the Editor (February 11) it appears that he didn’t pay a great deal of attention to the Disaster Management of the current North Queensland floods.
Townsville was not the only place that was affected and Annastacia Palaszczuk is the Premier of Queensland, and it is her role to advise the Queensland community of what was happening in the North and West.
Depending on what TV channel is watched, if “Disapproving Dave” had paid attention, the Commissioner for Fire and Emergency, Katarina Carroll, Commissioner for Police, Ian Stewart and BOM representative also updated Queenslanders of the disaster at hand.
They didn’t just stand behind her to make her look good. If “Disapproving Dave” has ever watched a full press conference, he would know that there are many journalists who ask many questions and at times the “experts” respond with the detail that is required.
In my opinion, it was heartening to see the Premier of our state of Queensland come to Townsville to see the situation first hand and to speak with those in the community who were gravely affected by the flooding.
I am sure “Disapproving Dave” would have written a public letter of complaint if the Premier didn’t visit the disaster zone or didn’t update the whole of Queensland of the situation we were facing.
I would also like to point out to “Disapproving Dave” that local MPS were involved behind the scenes in helping out the community in whatever capacity they could.
Cathy O’toole, Federal MP for Herbert, along with her husband, were delivering sand bags in the lead-up to the flood, all while their own home was in the firing line of the flood and eventually had to evacuate themselves.
They are now back out in the community helping with the clean-up.
Coralee O’rourke, state MP for Mundingburra and Minister for Communities, helped out at evacuation and donation centres and had clean-up kits available from her office, while still recovering from surgery, might I add.
Aaron Harper, State MP for Thuringowa, was out helping those who had lost their homes by the flood, by physically assisting in the clean-up.
Scott Stewart, state MP for Townsville, was out helping those who had lost their homes, as well as cleaning up his own place that was damaged.
Not everything our political representatives do is relayed in the media or needs to be.
I have read and seen the hardship some have had to endure in this past week and will continue for some time, and it is heartbreaking.
I have also read and seen where the community spirit has soared in supporting those in need.
Then there is “Disapproving Dave”: still complaining about something, anything, as long as he is heard.