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Cyclone Seroja: Scott Morrison to visit Kalbarri on last day of WA visit

Lanai Scarr and Elise Van AkenGeraldton Guardian
The Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison has spent his first day of his visit to Western Australia touring Perth. Pictured - The Prime Minister at Frasers Restaurant in Kings Park.
Camera IconThe Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison has spent his first day of his visit to Western Australia touring Perth. Pictured - The Prime Minister at Frasers Restaurant in Kings Park. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper/The West Australian

The Prime Minister says he will listen to the people of Kalbarri during a visit there today, on the third day of his tour of WA.

Kalbarri and Northampton have been picking up the pieces of their flattened towns for five days, while the PM has wined and dined with hundreds of WA’s business leaders at a pre-planned Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA luncheon in Perth on Tuesday.

Scott Morrison will visit the cyclone-affected area, with WA Premier Mark McGowan who already visited on Tuesday, as one of his last stops during his first trip west in 537 days.

GEN Premier Mark McGowan (right) visits cyclone damaged Kalbarri. with Emergency Minister Reece Whitby and Police Commissioner Chris Dawson. Pic. Iain Gillespie The West Australian
Camera IconGEN Premier Mark McGowan (right) visits cyclone damaged Kalbarri. with Emergency Minister Reece Whitby and Police Commissioner Chris Dawson. Pic. Iain Gillespie The West Australian Credit: The West Australian

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Mr Morrison said his visit would be an opportunity to see the damage in Kalbarri first-hand and listen to those who have had their livelihoods and homes destroyed.

“The local community now faces the long and difficult task of rebuilding their homes and businesses,” he said.

“The Federal Member for Durack, Melissa Price, has been working with local authorities to ensure Defence Force personnel were in the right place to help locals and the state emergency services in the clean-up.

The Federal Government has also activated the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment and Disaster Recovery Allowance to support those who have been heavily affected by the cyclone.

Mrs Price said she was very proud of “our Kalbarri community.”

“They have shown such great spirit and determination to get through this disaster together,” she said.

“I am so grateful to our defence personnel. There is nothing like the sight of our men and women in khaki to give a community hope that we will rebuild and that life will return to normal.”

The newly appointed Recovery Controller for cyclone Seroja Melissa Pexton will also tour the cyclone-affected areas with the premier and Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday.

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