PM’s tears shake off ‘wooden’ response to flood deaths

AUSTRALIA’S prime minister choked back tears in parliament as she described the impact the deadly Queensland floods has had on the country.

Recalling the bravery of victims, including 13-year-old Jordan Rice — who insisted rescuers save his 10-year-old brother Blake before him — Julia Gillard said the summer of disasters would always be remembered by Australians.

Gillard’s response to the floods was described as “wooden” by critics, but she choked back tears as she recounted the nation’s horror summer, marked by huge floods that killed 35 people in Queensland state, top-strength Cyclone Yasi and wildfires still raging on the west coast.