‘It’s not good enough’: Albanese slammed by the Opposition for absence during NSW floods

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been slammed by the Liberal Party for his focus on overseas relations amidst the flood crisis in New South Wales.

Over 30,000 people in Sydney and surrounding areas have been advised to evacuate their homes, with torrential rain expected to rise and cause flood levels higher than those seen in the last 18 months.

The Prime Minister is currently in Poland after visiting war-torn Ukraine and meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky in the hopes of sending a clear message that Australia supports Ukraine.

President @ZelenskyyUa has shown bravery and leadership emblematic of his people in the face of Russia’s brutal and illegal invasion. My visit to Ukraine sends a clear message that democratic nations like Australia will stand with the Ukrainian people in their time of need. pic.twitter.com/lHVPJvPx7y

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) July 4, 2022

Speaking with 2GB’s Luke Grant, Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor pointed out Albanese’s attack on former Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s holiday to Hawaii during the nation’s bushfire crisis.

“Almost every day during his election campaign Albanese said he would step up and take responsibility as leader. It was flooding for 48 hours, Luke, and he has only just picked up the phone to Dominic Perrottet to ask if he needs a hand,” Taylor said.

“There’s 30,000 people who have been told to evacuate their homes but the PM is more concerned about his reputation on the global stage than making sure people in NSW have a place to sleep.

“You do have to be there. Albanese made a real scene about this and yet he couldn’t even pick up the phone and frankly, it’s not good enough.”

The Prime Minister said he’d been experiencing “radio silence” while in the Ukraine.

It’s a constantly changing situation. Check @NSWSES and @BOM_NSW for the latest advice and please stay safe.

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) July 4, 2022

Treasurer Jim Chalmers assured ABC’s News Breakfast that the “Albanese government will stand with you [flood victims]” and work closely with the state of NSW to provide fast and efficient assistance.

Our message to the people of NSW is the @AlboMP Govt will be there for you, we will stand with you, we will support you & we will work with the NSW Govt to make sure you have what you need to get through a difficult period. My interview with Lisa Millar on @BreakfastNews #auspol pic.twitter.com/ppppbMNlW5

— Jim Chalmers MP (@JEChalmers) July 4, 2022

As reported by the Daily Telegraph, Chalmers said the Albanese government had inherited poor international relationships, assuring the Prime Minister’s overseas work wasn’t affecting Labor’s ability to focus on Australians and “advancing our agenda here at home”.

“We would prefer that we inherited relationships which were in perfect nick in our region, in the Pacific, with the French and around the world. But unfortunately, that’s not what we inherited,” he said.

“What we got instead were a series of relationships which are very important to Australians which had been run down over time. We would prefer that work wasn’t necessary.”