LABOR ABANDONS FLOOD-RAVAGED NORTH QUEENSLAND

Shadow Minister for Northern Australia and Resources, Senator Susan McDonald has slammed the Albanese Government for turning its back on flood-ravaged North and North West Queensland producers by refusing to support a restocking allowance following devastating floods.

Senator McDonald said the decision was a betrayal of regional communities already battered by repeated natural disasters, soaring costs and prolonged isolation.

“This is a kick in the guts at the worst possible time,” she said.

“These communities feed Australia. They keep regional economies alive. They are simply trying to get back on their feet.”

Senator McDonald said the Federal Government had a proven blueprint sitting right in front of it but was too arrogant to follow it.

“After the 2019 floods, the Coalition Government understood that restocking support was a vital investment in rebuilding regional Australia,” she said.

“That support helped producers recover faster, protected local jobs, supported small businesses and kept entire communities alive during one of the toughest periods North Queensland has ever faced.

“Labor has ignored that lesson completely.”

Senator McDonald said the Government’s refusal to back a restocking allowance made no sense when similar recovery support had been delivered to other regions following recent disasters.

“This decision is unfair, inconsistent and economically reckless,” she said.

“You cannot claim to support Australian food production while abandoning the people who produce it.”

Senator McDonald backed calls from North West Queensland mayors, AgForce, the Queensland Farmers’ Federation and the Local Government Association of Queensland for the Federal Government to urgently reverse its decision.

“The Prime Minister needs to stop treating regional Australia like an afterthought,” Senator McDonald said.

“If Labor can find billions for inner-city pet projects, it can support cattle producers and small rural communities trying to rebuild after disaster.

“The Prime Minister has proven again that he has the wrong priorities and goes missing when he’s needed.”

ENDS