Tanya Plibersek has criticised the government’s delay in moving to declare a national emergency in the wake of the devastating floods in northern NSW and southern Queensland.

He spent the day touring flood-ravaged Lismore where he announced more funding, and defended the ADF’s response to the severe weather event.

But the Shadow Minister for Education and Women said the delay was mystifying.

“I can’t explain why it’s taken as long as it has,” she told Scott Emerson.

“I can’t explain why it’s taken as long to rescue people from their roofs, I can’t explain why it’s taken so long to declare a national emergency, I can’t explain why it’s taken as long to get Centrelink helping to process emergency payments.”

She said the reaction has been slower than many would like to see.

Press PLAY below to hear more of her reaction to the news

Image: Nine News 

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