More than 1000 people have been evacuated from remote Northern Territory communities due to Cyclone Narelle, with more extreme weather set for Australia's north.
On Thursday, Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy told the Senate the government's "focus is on keeping people safe and making sure no one is left behind".
In response to questions from Yamatji - Noongar senator Dorinda Cox, who represents Western Australia, the minister said the top end has faced an "incredibly difficult wet season".
"We certainly see where Tropical Cyclone Narelle is in Western Australia. Across Northern Australia we have seen its pathway, we've faced successive natural disasters, cyclones, flooding and now renewed river rises following from Cyclone Narelle," she said.
"Our focus is on keeping people safe and making sure no one is left behind. More than 1,000 people have been evacuated from remote communities in the Northern Territory, like Numbulwar, Nauiyu/ Daly River, Jilkminggan and Palumpa, many for the second time in just a matter of weeks. Jilkminggan near Mataranka, Beswick near Katherine has also gone under, and also Katherine."
Senator McCarthy acknowledged communities in Far North Queensland from Coen to Aurukun who have been impacted and those in Western Australia who are now preparing for the re-intensified Cyclone Narelle.
"This has been an incredibly distressing experience for these communities, to be forced from your home, to not know what you will return to, and that takes a real toll on people 's lives," she told the senate chamber.
The minister, who also represents the NT in the senate, noted the work of Australian Defence Force personnel who have been "on the ground and in the air, evacuating communities and helping move people to safety, alongside them are volunteers, emergency services and local workers who have shown incredible care and commitment".
Senator McCarthy noted the establishment of 24/7AUSMAT field hospital in Katherine to ensure people have access to emergency and essential health care, which includes a fully operation emergency department and maternity services.
She added that resilience packages from the Commonwealth have meant more funding for remote stores across the country to upgrade things like storage, refrigeration and install solar panels.
The minister noted that workers with the Remote Jobs and Economic Development (RJED) program with the Yagbani Aboriginal Corporation played a key role during and after Cyclone Fina in Warruwi, and that during Cyclone Narelle the Nyirrunggulung Rise RAES participants were assisting the Roper Gulf Regional Council in recovery efforts.
"Yirralka Rangers have been clearing the roads to Garrthalala in Arnhem Land in the last few days," Senator McCarthy added.
"Our RJED Vic Daly night patrol workers have partnered with Larrakia Nation in Darwin to provide extra patrols around the evacuation centres.
"This is happening now, on the ground. Workers... rebuilding and supporting communities, assisting everyone in these times of absolute crisis during these floods."
