Checking it out: Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell (right) with Rochester community representative Leigh Wilson and Rochester SES Controller Tim Williams during his visit to the flood-affected town last week.
Nicholls electorate will be the focus of Australia’s federal parliament on Wednesday when Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell makes a plea for assistance to the House of Representatives.
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Mr Birrell, who is in Canberra this week, said he will be speaking in the House of Representatives on Wednesday evening about the flood.
“I’ll be making it very clear to the parliament the scale of the destruction and the scale of the re-build,” he said.
“I will also be asking for support in looking after people who are effectively homeless.”
Mr Birell’s electorate has been devastated by the floods and he has spent time in Seymour, Shepparton, Mooroopna and Rochester.
“Rochester has a big problem, because people don’t have anywhere to live,” he said.
“I will be meeting with the Victorian emergency management minister Murray Watt on Thursday morning.”
Mr Birrell was part of a door-to-door volunteer program on Saturday with Mooroopna Football Netball Club, where volunteers ripped up carpets and removing furniture and whitegoods.
He has called on the government for more Australian Defence Force personnel to hit the ground and help with the clean up of homes, the delivery of supplies, and door knocking residents — to mention a few of the many tasks required.
“I’ve called for Services Australia staff to set up in town and guide residents through paperwork and financial support,” he said.
Taking the message to Canberra: Mr Birrell will be campaigning for support in Canberra this week.
Mr Birrell said he had also contacted Victorian Minister for Emergency Services Jaclyn Symes, asking for immediate action and activate the clean-up process as fast as possible.
“I’m here to support our electorate through this crisis and I'll be doing everything I can to ensure residents and businesses are looked after,” he said.
