A blame game hasn’t washed through yet in NSW over the slow response to the unprecedented flood emergency after it was revealed that the Defence Force had preemptively offered to help but were knocked back. The ADF contacted NSW’s State Emergency Service twice on 25 February and were told they weren’t needed. Three days later, the city of Lismore was underwater, and locals in their tinnies and kayaks were relied on to rescue those stranded. Yesterday, SES Commissioner Carlene York defended the decision, saying the flooding was predicted to be minor to moderate. NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet backed his people but said it would be part of a review. More financial support is on the way with the weekend’s Red Cross flood appeal that was backed by the commercial TV networks raising $25 million. You can still donate here.