For months, the bushfires tested our resolve.

But we showed the world that we are strongest when we stand together and I was heartened to see our spirit through difficult and unprecedented circumstances.

I spent weeks on end speaking with local people about what impact the fire had on them.

I raised the alarm on the unfolding economic crisis on the South Coast in January.

I could see it before my eyes, and I heard it in the stories that I heard repeated every day.

The government's response was slow and not appropriate in a seasonal based economy.

I invited the Minister to visit our coast with me.

I met with him and the head of the National Bushfire Recovery Agency to tell them the stories of local people - tell them that we needed a cash injection and we needed it now.

I was thrilled when the government provided that cash injection - $10,000 for small businesses that had lost significant income.

Fantastic.

But the sting in the tail was still to come.

Coronavirus' impact has been huge, and on the back of the fires could be fatal for many struggling South Coast businesses.

Many have already closed and more will not be able to cope with this added pressure.

We need fast stimulus to help small businesses, sole traders and workers with this double threat.

We will need to work together to rebuild.

But what I am seeing is a diversion - the apparent repurposing of funding promised for one crisis to deal with another.

Tourism funds redirected, and an agency that won't confirm what will happen to promised dollars.

I will not accept this.

We don't need funds redirected.

We need additional funds - not taking away from communities in need because a new threat emerged.

It isn't over yet and we need to see that community spirit endure once again - looking out for your neighbours and friends. Standing together.

Because if this summer taught us anything - it is that we can get through anything when we are united.