Squeegee-led recovery after Qld cyclone

The prime minister and opposition leader have visited Bowen to show their support to the region devastated by Cyclone Debbie.

Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten help with the clean-up in Bowen

Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten are in Bowen to see first hand the damage done by Cyclone Debbie. (AAP)

They may disagree on a lot of things, but Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten are on a unity ticket when it comes to mopping up.

The political leaders on Thursday took up squeegee mops during a trip to Bowen to help clean a shop damaged by Cyclone Debbie.

The pair also became tourism promoters when they urged all Australians to holiday on the Whitsundays, which was hammered by the category four storm.

"Nature flings its worst at Australians and it's certainly happened here in the Whitsunday region, but it brings out the best (in people)," Mr Turnbull told reporters.

"The storm's gone, the clean-up will happen and then it's back in business."

The federal government has made money available immediately to the local council to start rebuilding infrastructure - including urgent repairs to roads where damage has cut off towns.

There are also 1300 Defence personnel, aided by 12 helicopters and amphibious landing ship HMAS Choules, in the area working on recovery efforts and airlifting supplies and fresh water to people stranded on islands.

Mr Shorten said if people wanted to help longer-term recovery efforts "the Whitsunday region is a great place for a holiday".

"They will tidy this up, they will be back on their feet," he said.

Mr Turnbull said the federal government would give the region extra help with tourism promotion.

Mr Shorten also reiterated to insurance companies that politicians of all stripes would be keeping an eye on them, to make sure legitimate claims weren't tied up in red tape.

The prime minister later told parliament the ADF had sent in specialist electricians to Bowen to put the power back on.

"The speed of the reaction of the Australian Defence Force should make every single one of us so proud."


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Source: AAP



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