Australian Government Disaster Payments near $3 million

Kirsten Livermore MP
Member for Capricornia

7 January 2011

Acting Attorney-General Brendan O’Connor and Member for Capricornia Kirsten Livermore today said more $2.9 million in Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payments (AGDRP) have so far been paid to people affected by the Queensland floods crisis.

Mr O’Connor said more than 2,300 AGDRP claims from people across flood-affected Queensland have been paid – putting money in the hands of people most in need.

“The scale of this crisis is enormous and the Gillard Government is working hard to ensure people get the help they need as quickly as possible,” Mr O’Connor said.

“The AGDRP is a payment of $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child for those who have been significantly affected by these floods.

“It’s on top of joint Commonwealth/State Government assistance being provided via Queensland Government agencies under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements.

“Federal government assistance is likely to run into the hundreds of millions of dollars and these initial payments are part of our overall contribution,” Mr O’Connor said.

“These payments will go part of the way to getting people back on their feet and I encourage all flood victims who have not already applied to contact Centrelink.”

The AGDRP is available for a person:

• whose principal place of residence has been destroyed, or;
• whose principal place of residence sustained major damage, or;
• who was unable to gain access to their principal place of residence for a period of 24 hours or more, or;
• who was stranded in their principal place of residence for a period of 24 hours or more, or;
• whose principal place of residence was without electricity, water, gas, sewerage services or another essential service for at least 48 hours (a utility failure) and the utility failure was caused by damage to public or private infrastructure, or;
• who was seriously injured, or;
• who is the immediate family member of an Australian who died as a direct result of the disaster, or;
• who is a principal carer of a dependent child who has experienced any of the above.
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Ms Livermore said Centrelink staff are working hard to provide financial assistance to families affected by the floods.

“Up to twenty additional Centrelink staff will be arriving in Rockhampton by Sunday to work alongside local staff as they help people suffering as a result of these floods,” she said.

“Alongside staff from the Queensland Government and community organisations, they are doing a tremendous job providing assistance and support.

“The Rockhampton Centrelink Office in Musgrave Street will remain open over the weekend to continue to provide this help.

“The office will open on Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 5pm to enable those affected by floods to access information and complete claims.

“Social workers are also on hand and can provide advice, information and referrals to other services.

“I’d urge people who have been affected by these floods to not self-assess their eligibility for the payment, but to contact Centrelink to see if they’re eligible.

“People can apply for the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment by visiting a Centrelink or Medicare office or by talking to Centrelink staff at their local Recovery or Evacuation centre.”

Information about assistance is also available by phoning the Australian Government’s Emergency Assistance Hotline on 180 2266 (between 8am – 8pm QLD time, seven days a week) or by visiting www.centrelink.gov.au or www.disasterassist.gov.au/queenslandfloods

Australian Government Assistance for Flood-Affected Queensland

Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment:
• $1000 per eligible adult, $400 per eligible child – available across all 44 Local Government Areas declared natural disaster zones.
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Joint Australian/Queensland Government Personal Hardship and Distress Assistance available across 11 LGAs (Central Highlands, Southern Downs, Western Downs, Mackay, Lockyer Valley, Banana, Barcaldine, North Burnett, Bundaberg, Rockhampton and Toowoomba):
• Emergency Assistance grants - a grant of $170 per person, up to a maximum of $780 for a family of five or more is available. This grant is available to people experiencing hardship due to the disaster who require assistance to meet their basic needs.
• Essential Household Contents grants - assistance of up to $1660 for individuals and $4980 for families.
• Repairs to Dwelling grants - Assistance of up to $10 250 for individuals and $13 800 for families can be provided.
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Joint Australian/Queensland Government Support for Primary Producers and Small Businesses:
• Grants of up to $25,000 for small businesses and primary producers for clean up and recovery - available across 15 LGAs (Banana, Barcaldine, Bundaberg, Somerset, Central Highlands, Cherbourg, Lockyer Valley, North Burnett, Rockhampton, Scenic Rim, South Burnett, Southern Downs, Toowoomba, Western Downs and Woorabinda and part of Isaac)
• Concessional interest rate loans of up to $250,000 for small business operators and primary producers, as well as freight subsidies of up to $5,000 - available across 23 LGAs (Balonne, Banana, Barcaldine, Blackall-Tambo, Bundaberg, Central Highlands, Cherbourg, Gladstone, Goondiwindi, Isaac, Lockyer Valley, Longreach, Maranoa, Murweh, North Burnett, Rockhampton, Scenic Rim, Somerset, South Burnett, Southern Downs, Toowoomba, Western Downs and Woorabinda).

The Australian Government will also provide assistance for the cost of counter disaster operations and funding to help rebuild communities and essential infrastructure public infrastructure such as roads, bridges & schools.

ENDS

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