Queensland to offer assistance to Vanuatu

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Queensland Government would formally offer assistance to cyclone-stricken communities in Vanuatu.

Ms Palaszczuk said specialist Ergon crews could be deployed to the area to help restore power if needed.

"On behalf of all Queenslanders, my heart goes out to the people of Vanuatu," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"We’ve had our own share of cyclones recently, so we know the damage they can cause to infrastructure, as well as the personal loss the people of Vanuatu are bound to suffer.

"We are fortunate here in Queensland to have well-resourced, experienced disaster response capabilities.

"Under Emergency Management Australia provisions, Queensland will make available whatever assistance is needed to the people of Vanuatu.

"Especially when it comes to power, our Ergon workers have proven how good they are at urgently responding to downed power lines and restoring power to communities.

"Ergon is already making preparations to deploy crew and generation equipment once the full impacts of the damage are known and if our offer of assistance is accepted.

"Myself and Energy Minister Mark Bailey will provide more information as it comes to hand, but Queensland stands ready to offer whatever assistance is needed to help the people of Vanuatu get back on their feet."

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