Prime Minister announces additional flood assistance

May 25, 2009

Member for Page Janelle Saffin has welcomed Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s announcement of additional Commonwealth assistance to help flood-affected residents in northern New South Wales.

In a statement to Federal Parliament on the floods, Mr Rudd acknowledged the untiring efforts of all emergency services workers who had volunteered to help the region and south-east Queensland.

“I know that local members have been working to assist their local constituents with their needs in this difficult time,” Mr Rudd said.

“In particular I acknowledge the Member for Page who has been providing me with updates over the past week about the impact of the flooding on those living in and around her electorate in Northern New South Wales.”

Ms Saffin said she was grateful the Prime Minister had recognised the severe damage to local communities in Page and neighbouring Federal electorates by announcing additional Commonwealth assistance.

“Today, the Federal Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Jenny Macklin activated the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment, which is a one-off immediate payment of $1000 to adults and $400 to children,” Ms Saffin said.

Claims for assistance can be made through Centrelink.

Ms Saffin said Mr Rudd had also agreed to a request from New South Wales Premier Nathan Rees to extend the current assistance being provided to small business and primary producers in flood-affected areas.

This assistance will include one-off grants of up to $15,000 for small businesses and primary producers who can provide proof of expenditure on flood-related recovery. The New South Wales Rural Assistance Authority will administer these payments.

Mr Rudd today authorised this assistance for people affected by the earlier floods in New South Wales in late March.

“In announcing these payments, the Government recognises that this is the third season that many farmers have gone through without any substantial income, as a result of extreme weather conditions,” Mr Rudd told Parliament.

“Damage to the agricultural sector has impacts on many other interdependent aspects of the community and the local members will be liaising with their communities to advise on any further assistance required.”

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