Labor Candidate for Page, Patrick Deegan says the creation of a Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation will be a step forward in the region’s path to recovery following the devasting floods.

“I congratulate the local State Member for Lismore, Janelle Saffin MP, for her tireless advocacy on this issue.

It was telling however, that the Federal Government was nowhere to be seen at last week’s media conference”.

Mr Deegan says Scott Morrison was missing in action during the floods, “he was missing in action after the floods, and now he’s missing in action from the recovery effort as well.

This is simply not good enough”.

“NSW can’t be left to go it alone. The reconstruction effort must be a partnership between all levels of government.

The people of the Northern Rivers deserve a Federal Government that’s prepared to roll up its sleeves and open its wallet.

I note there is still a lot of information that we are yet to see about the Reconstruction Corporation, and the devil will be in the detail.

For example, it appears that the Corporation will not have a case management function”.

Mr Deegan said local residents and businesses need a one-stop-shop for flood relief assistance so they can get off the treadmill of paperwork and being hand-balled from one department to another, and that case management is essential.

“There must also be broad representation on the Advisory Board – including the community sector and trade unions, not just local businesses”.