Flood recovery
John BERGER (Southern Metropolitan) (09:42): Last week I travelled to regional Victoria for the inquiry into the 2022 flood event in Victoria. We heard some devastating stories. In Rochester I listened to a farmer that was unable to prepare adequately amid conflicting notifications on his phone about potential rainfall, but we equally heard some stories about the community pulling together in their darkest hour, making sandbags and leaving their own homes unprotected to help others. There I met with Jenny White, someone I have known for more than 25 years. It was devastating to learn that Jenny has been living in a caravan park since October of last year. That is after being flooded out in 2011 and losing her husband mid last year to a sudden health issue. Many are living in makeshift accommodation.
It is on days like this that I am proud to be a member of the Andrews Labor government, which will always have their back. We know that climate change means that irregular weather events like this will become more regular. We must confront the reality of climate change now. I tried to visit an old shop that I used to frequent, but it had shut down due to the floods. It is these people living their day-to-day lives that we will be supporting and standing with for many months to go. I say to the people affected: I hear you, and I am with you.