OPPOSITION Leader Tony Abbott didn’t mind getting his hands dirty yesterday, and this time it had nothing to do with politics.
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He spent the morning in North Wagga, helping residents with the daunting clean-up that stood before them.
Despite suspicion from some residents his visit was a publicity stunt, Mr Abbott said it was not his intention.
“Michael (McCormack) suggested that I should come; I think it’s important that the whole of the national parliament demonstrates solidarity with Wagga,” he said.
“I thought it was important to come and be briefed and lend such a helping hand as I can being the Opposition Leader on the ground.
“I (didn’t want to) come at a time when you might interrupt the emergency relief efforts, when you’ve got people being evacuated, when you’ve got sandbags being laid (because) the visit of a VIP can easily just be an interruption.”
After being briefed by the SES about the situation, then defence personnel about the safety requirements and a quick change of clothes, Mr Abbott started his walk around the suburb with member for Riverina and Nationals MP Michael McCormack.
“Mate, how are you? We’re here to help,” he said to one resident, Allan Bell, as he looked at the destroyed furniture and mud that surrounded his home.
Shortly afterwards Mr Bell broke down – too overcome to speak because of all he had lost.
“Bit of a shock just to see my house like this,” he said, talking about the state of his home while Mr Abbott got
to work picking up rubbish.
Mr Bell said he’d only returned the day before to assess the damage.
Walking across nearly all of North Wagga the Leader of the Opposition stopped at houses and even took on some heavy lifting with the assistance of Mr McCormack.
As Ray Price started rolling up the soaked carpet and flooring in his home, Mr Abbott took one end.
It was then a combined effort between Mr Abbott, Mr McCormack and the Price family to get some heavy cupboards and furniture outside.
“I reckon it’s great to see him doing this,” Mr Price said.
But for North Wagga resident Ray Colvin it was all about getting the job done.
As Mr Abbott helped him load wood panels out of his shed, he warned the Opposition Leader to watch out for snakes.
“Tony’s like the other 40 people we’ll have helping out here today,” Mr Colvin said.
“I’m pretty devastated about my house at the moment.”
