NSW: Govt supports embattled SES leader

AAP General News (Australia)
04-22-1999
NSW: Govt supports embattled SES leader

SYDNEY, April 22 AAP - The New South Wales government today threw its support behind the
embattled leader of the State Emergency Service, Hori Howard, over his handling of last week's
freak hailstorm.

Emergency Services Minister Bob Debus attacked opposition leader Kerry Chikarovski for
calling for Major-General Howard's resignation over his refusal to call in the army to help
with repairs.

The government yesterday called on the army for assistance.

"The opposition, by that comment has broken a longstanding bipartisan agreement for
politicians not to get involved in that way in emergency situations," Mr Debus said.

"I am not going to break that convention."

Both Mr Debus and Rural Fire Service Commissioner Phil Koperberg threw their support
between Major General Howard.

"Major General Howard is an extraordinarily experienced competent officer who is much loved
by his entire service," Mr Debus said.

Mr Koperberg said: "His call was correct, based on the information he had at the time".

Meanwhile, one in five damaged houses still remain exposed following the devastating
hailstorm eight days ago which pummelled Sydney's eastern and southern suburbs.

Mr Koperberg said 80 per cent of damaged houses had been attended to and predicted most
temporary repairs would be completed by the end of this long weekend.

"We can confidently predict that by the end of this weekend the back of this will be
broken," Mr Koperberg said.

He said strong southerly winds over the past two days had hampered progress and first-time
calls for help were still coming in.

The SES has already received over 15,000 calls for help and there are estimated to be about
13,000 damaged houses.

AAP cm/sb/cjh

KEYWORD: HAILSTORM DEBUS

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