An unforgiving continent in debt to emergency service workers
Australia can be an unforgiving continent in which to live, says Labor leader Bill Shorten and as ever, emergency service workers even in the worst of times represent the best of Australia.
Shorten will interrupt his campaigning today to travel to Sydney to see first-hand the impact of the storms and to thank emergency workers.
“Damage we are seeing is well beyond what people are used to.”
The Opposition leader will visit the Coogee Surf Life Saving Club where he will be joined by deputy leader Tanya Plibersek and Labor’s Member for Kingsford Smith, Matt Thistlethwaite.
“The wild and devastating weather we have been witnessing and experiencing on the eastern coast of Australia over the last couple of days is quite devastating,” Shorten said.
“Australia can be an unforgiving continent to live in and the damage we are seeing is well beyond what people are used to.
“We’ve seen houses inundated, businesses damaged, and communities affected.
“Bipartisan support for all measures which are being taken to help people.”
“Most tragically, three Australians have already lost their life and there are more missing.
“My thoughts and our thoughts, go to the families of those people who have been so calamitously affected by this terrible weather.
“I have had the opportunity to briefly speak with the Prime Minister and communicated to him our bipartisan support for all measures which are being taken to help people through this particularly tough time,” he said.
Shorten also offered to join the PM to visit flood affected areas.
“We owe a great debt to our emergency services.”
“Both he and I know there are matters which are more important than the current political struggle in which we are engaged,” Shorten said, “and this is clearly one of them.
“It is most important that Australians recognise at this time, we owe a great debt to our emergency services.
“It is our emergency services, our men and women, both professional and volunteer, who work tirelessly to help alleviate the damage which we are witnessing now.
“As ever, our emergency services in the worst of times, represent the best of Australia,” he added.
“Make sure you deal with their claims in a speedy fashion.”
The Labor leader also called on insurers to treat their customers making claims for damage and loss they have suffered, properly.
“I worked heavily during the Brisbane floods to make sure insurance companies treated their claimants of policies properly,” he said.
“I want to send a message out to the insurance companies of Australia: I am sure you will do this, but make sure you treat your customers fairly.
“Make sure you deal with their claims in a speedy fashion.
“For people who have suffered significant damage, the last thing they need is to be damaged again by a long argument with an insurance company,” he added.
