A C-130J Hercules aircraft has been provided by Defence for medical and other evacuations, and to transport emergency services personnel and supplies, including food, water and generators to communities in need.

Defence is also considering a request for personnel to assist with clean up and damage assessment.

Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud, who passed on the WA government's request to Minister for Defence Peter Dutton, noted the importance of ADF assistance. 

“These communities need assistance now and we are acting immediately,” Minister Littleproud added.

“A tropical cyclone crossing this far south is a rare event, so I commend the early planning and actions of the WA emergency services to prepare communities for the worst.”

Member for Durack and Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price also welcomed ADF support.

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“We’ve seen our Defence personnel helping time and time again through the bushfires, COVID and now helping cyclone-affected people in the Durack electorate,” Minister Price said.

“I urge people still in the path of the system to take all necessary precautions.

“Although the cyclone crossed the coast and has been downgraded to a tropical low, the risks of heavy rain, flash flooding and damaging wind gusts are still very real, and people must take the advice of WA emergency services.”

Charbel Kadib

News Editor – Defence and Security, Momentum Media

Prior to joining the defence and aerospace team in 2020, Charbel was news editor of The Adviser and Mortgage Business, where he covered developments in the banking and financial services sector for three years. Charbel has a keen interest in geopolitics and international relations, graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a double major in politics and journalism. Charbel has also completed internships with The Australian Department of Communications and the Arts and public relations agency Fifty Acres.