Northern Rivers Flood Recovery

The Hon. AILEEN MacDONALD (12:11:28):

I take note of the answer to my question to the Minister for Finance. I too have met with the member for Lismore, Janelle Saffin, and I agree that she has been a local champion and advocate for the people of Lismore. However, the people in the Northern Rivers are anxious for the buyback program to be resolved and to be resolved soon. I am pleased that the Minister is undertaking a painstaking, line-by-line review of the Northern Rivers buyback scheme. Recently I was contacted by a resident of Woodburn who raised a concern that the process was pathetically slow. I encourage the Minister to travel to Woodburn and the surrounding region to see firsthand row upon row of flood-damaged homes and the caravans next to them where people are living while they wait for decisions. I respect the need for assessment and for integrity in the process. I call on the Minister to hasten that process.

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