NSW Labor Senator Tony Sheldon has been appointed to the new role of Special Envoy for Disaster Recovery by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Senator Sheldon, a former national secretary of the Transport Workers Union, will work with Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt to “ensure much-needed support is delivered to communities when natural disasters hit”.
Mr Albanese said that Senator Sheldon’s appointment and the Government’s pledge to establish a new $200 million Disaster Ready Fund for mitigation works demonstrated its commitment to strengthening disaster management.
“Creating a Special Envoy for Disaster Recovery illustrates how seriously we are taking natural disasters,” Mr Albanese said.
“Senator Sheldon is someone who has spent his entire working life helping others and is a strong contributor in our Senate team.”
“My government will always take responsibility and stand with Australians before, during and after a natural disaster.”
Senator Watt said disaster victims felt “abandoned” in past years and Senator Sheldon’s appointment would help ensure that didn’t happen in the future.
“We know that disaster recovery can take a long time, but Senator Sheldon’s appointment will ensure our government is doing all it can to get support where it’s needed, as quickly as possible,” Senator Watt said.