Palaszczuk Government sends SES specialist support to assist New South Wales

Published Friday, 24 April, 2015 at 09:09 AM

JOINT STATEMENT

Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services and Minister for Corrective Services
The Honourable Jo-Ann Miller

The Palaszczuk Government is sending support south to help with the massive clean-up effort in New South Wales following days of heavy rain and flooding across parts of the state.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said 50 specialist Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) emergency response volunteers, with support staff, would be deployed today to assist local crews.

“Whenever Queenslanders have needed a helping hand, there is never any shortage of offers of assistance from across Australia. My government stands ready to assist New South Wales in their time of need,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“The 50 SES volunteers leaving today come from right across South-East Queensland including Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, the Gold Coast and the Scenic Rim.

“At this stage they’ll be across the border for a few days, but should the New South Wales Government need further assistance, we’ll help out for as long as needed.”

Emergency Services Minister Jo-Ann Miller said the volunteers would today travel in SES vehicles to the Hunter Valley.

“The eagerness and enthusiasm of our hardworking Queensland volunteers is inspiring,” Mrs Miller said.

“They were there for us when we needed them during Cyclones Marcia and Nathan, and now they’re stepping up again. I thank them all for their ongoing commitment.

“I also want to acknowledge their families for being so understanding, as well as their employers for their flexibility.”

QFES Acting Commissioner Katarina Carroll said volunteers skilled in chainsaw operations and storm response would work to ensure the thousands of requests for assistance that have been lodged in New South Wales are dealt with as quickly as possible.

“New South Wales has the need and we have the capability,” Ms Carroll said.

“Our volunteers not only provide much-needed assistance to storm and flood-affected residents, but they offer the exhausted local emergency response crews some respite and a chance to enjoy a well-earned rest.

“We thank our volunteers and wish them all the best in their efforts to support News South Wales residents in their time of need.”

Media contact: Premier’s Office 3719 7000; Minister Miller’s Office 0408 623 467