McCarthy recalls cyclone terror in the Territory

By AMANDA PARKINSON

Indigenous Affairs Minister Malarndirri McCarthy recalled a more recent cyclone that caused damage to her remote hometown community in 2024 as she stood with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to remember the impact of Cyclone Tracy in Darwin 50 years ago.

Tropical Cyclone Megan made landfall near Borroloola in March but many residents were unable to evacuate after it was left too late to deploy aircraft.

Strong winds and more than 300mm of rain in 24 hours meant the planes couldn’t land, leaving thousands of residents to take shelter in homes that did not meet cyclone building code.

“What happened in Borroloola this year was absolutely devastating for the residents,” Senator McCarthy said.

“Many would say that the arrival of the planes were too late and that was a criticism at the time and it’s certainly been taken on board.

“We have to remember in the Northern Territory that the federal government can only step in when it’s invited to do so and that really is the responsibility of the NT government today.”

Senator McCarthy said she and Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister had visited Borroloola and other communities to ensure there wouldn’t be a repeat of this year, or Cyclone Tracy, in remote communities.

The Prime Minister reflected on how Cyclone Tracy impacted the nation 50 years ago.

Walking through the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory in Darwin, he learnt about how the catastrophic cyclone impacted more than 37,000 Australians when it crossed the coast on Christmas Day, 1974.

“I was a young boy in Sydney but like the rest of Australia and indeed the world, we were shocked by the images that came from Darwin,” he told media.

“We had people throughout Australia provide their support, their funding and their commitment to the people who had suffered through this devastating cyclone … that is part of the Australian story.”