PRIME Minister Julia Gillard has given flood-prone Ipswich a sandbagging machine in her bid for Queensland votes ahead of the next federal poll. Surrounded by State Emergency Service workers on Tuesday afternoon in an Ipswich depot, Ms Gillard said the machine was desperately needed by staff who filled thousands of bags by hand over the Summer of Disaster.
Her last visit to the depot was to mark the first anniversary of the Summer of Disaster and it was there she was told workers wanted a sand bagger.
"You wanted it, I wanted to get it for you and we are able to honour that commitment," she said.
Ms Gillard said $46,000 would be made available for the machine that will be ready for service well before the next wet season.
Ms Gillard says she is enjoying her visit to Queensland which began Saturday and will stretch across the entire week, with a visit to the north expected tomorrow.
The PM waved away questions she was shoring up support in Queensland which turned savagely on the ALP in the last state poll.
"I am enjoying my time here and am very happy to be out and about in the community talking to people," she said.
11.7.12
