Katter to stay and help out

KATTER’S Australian Party state leader Robbie Katter will not attend the first day of parliament for the year, instead focusing on devastating floods in his electorate.

Mr Katter yesterday announced he would not travel to Brisbane to sit in parliament, which starts today, due to the flood crisis across his northwest electorate of Traeger.

Mr Katter’s decision not to travel to Brisbane came as his KAP colleague, Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto, called on the State Government to suspend the entire week to focus on flood recovery.

Mr Dametto said he believed politicians’ time would be “far better spent” on the ground helping out in floodaffected areas.

“The process of parliament is very important and in my opinion, when parliament is in session you need to be focused on that solely.

“I just can’t see how government ministers and MPS playing their part to co-ordinate this recovery could possibly do both effectively,” he said.

But Townsville MP Scott Stewart said he would attend parliament, as the recovery effort was best left to the “experts”.

“I think the best people to be co-ordinating the recovery are the various Government departments who are experts in that kind of work,” he said.

“There are several key issues here. One is the insurance companies, the speed of being able to lodge claims, get them processed, and clarity on the definition of flood damage.

“The other is people who weren’t insured, what happens to them now.

“We’re seeing lots of people who are just helping in any way, shape or form they can and that will continue.”

Communities Minister Coralee O’rourke said more than 27,000 people in flood-affected areas had benefited from Emergency Hardship Assistance grants, totalling more than $4.85 million.

“These grants of $180 per person, up to $900 for a family of five or more, help cover the costs of essential items immediately after this type of disaster,” she said.

“There is still time for people impacted by flooding to apply for grants, so I urge residents who have experienced difficulty in accessing financial and other support to please reach out to us via the Community Recovery Hotline.”

Mrs O’rourke said there was about 690 government staff working on the community recovery operation.

“We also have teams of Ready Reserves working across five community recovery hubs and doing outreach.”