the devastating floods along the east coast, which will cut red tape and speed up aid for the victims of the disaster. However, during his visit to the heart of the disaster zone, the flood-wrecked city of Lismore, PM Morrison faced protests from residents who criticised his government over its slow response to the floods and demanded stronger climate action. Demonstrators, holding placards with messages like “This is what climate change looks like” and “Coal and gas did this”, as they chanted “We need help!” People, gathered in front of an emergency operations centre visited by the Prime Minister also yelled “fossil fuel floods” and “the water is rising, no more compromising”.
Although floodwaters have retreated across much of the east coast, major food warnings are still in force in certain areas, including Sydney and Hawkesbury. Meanwhile, the numbers of deaths caused by the disaster increased to 21 over the past couple of weeks, and people are demanding more aggressive action to tackle climate change. Speaking to reporters during his visit, the PM Morrison linked the tragedy to climate change but went on to say the greater challenge was to get other countries to reduce their emissions. Flood mitigation works, rather than tougher restrictions on Australia’s emission will save people, he said.
