Dom says PM getting bad advice on floods

THE NSW Premier says Prime Minister Scott Morrison appears to be getting “bad advice” on the flood crisis as thousands of the state’s residents are told to evacuate.

Dominic Perrottet (pictured) said that as of Friday morning, there had been 23 evacuation orders issued, affecting 2388 people. A further 1742 people had been warned evacuations could be necessary.

“What we have seen overnight and will continue to see over the course of the next few days and coming weeks is sustained and heavy rainfall, and there are a number of evacuation orders and evacuation warnings in place across our state,” Mr Perrottet said.

He warned that Sydney’s northwest, southwest and Hawkesbury-nepean areas were at particular risk.

Mr Perrottet, who previously apologised to residents who felt abandoned during the flood crisis, rejected suggestions by opposition MPS that the government had “dropped the ball” and failed to protect flood victims.

The Labor MPS slammed emergency officials during a budget estimates hearing held earlier this week for not ensuring residents were given accurate information, timely warnings and prompt assistance.

Mr Perrottet said the criticism was “incredibly unfair” and amounted to “politicising” the disaster.

He was also asked if he thought the PM had politicised the crisis by initially excluding three council areas in a Laborheld part of the state from disaster payments – a decision that was later reversed.

“Well, I’ve said I don’t think so, I just think he’s getting bad advice …” Mr Perrottet said.

“You can’t discriminate based on (local government area), you should be looking at what event occurred, what are the circumstances facing people, and provide the financial support that is necessary to get people back on their feet, back into their homes and get towns operating again.”