Anthony Albanese announces $1,000 payments for cyclone victims as part of emergency support package
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced emergency assistance for Queenslanders affected by Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
The Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) is a one-time, non-means-tested payment of $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per child affected by the storm.
The Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) is a short-term support payment to support individuals who can demonstrate that their income has been affected by the cyclone.
“The devastation we have seen in Far North Queensland in recent days has been devastating,” Mr Albanese said.
“My government now stands with the people of Queensland in the response and will continue to do so during the recovery phase of this disaster. This provides emergency assistance to help families get back on their feet in the coming days.'
Those who live and work in Cairns, Cassowary Coast, Cook, Douglas, Hope Vale, Mareeba, Tablelands, Wujal Wujal and Yarrabah can make a claim from 2pm on Wednesday.
Anthony Albanese has announced financial assistance for victims affected by Cyclone Jasper
Pictured is flood damage to a house at Holloways Beach in Cairns
A helicopter is seen delivering fuel to residents of Wangetti Beach in Queensland
It comes after federal Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt said the government was facing a “quite expensive repair bill”.
“Today we will really see the start of recovery efforts across much of Far North Queensland. So a lot of attention will be paid to recovery work,” he told reporters.
“We're going to see a lot of property damage.”
The Emergency Hardship Assistance grant is intended to help with essential needs, food, medicine, clothing and temporary housing.
This grant is available to residents living or stranded in an affected area, with individuals receiving $180 and families of five or more receiving up to $900.
The Essential Services Hardship Assistance grant is intended for assistance with essential services such as electricity, gas, water and sewerage.
The grant is available to those who have lost one or more essential services for more than five days and their utility company can confirm that they have lost these services.
Individuals can claim $150, while families of five or more can claim up to $750.
The Household Contents Subsidy is intended to replace lost household effects, such as bedding and white goods.
Individuals can claim $1,765, while couples or families can receive $5,300.
Pictured is an aerial view of the floodwaters at Lake Placid in Cairns
Workers clean up after flooding in the Cairns suburb of Palm Cove
Residents are being cut off after a large section of road was washed away at Holloways Beach, Cairns
The Essential Services Safety and Reconnection grant is intended to assist with safety inspections and repairs to reconnect essential services.
Households can claim up to $200 for safety inspections for water, electricity, gas and sewerage and up to $4,200 for repair or replacement of these services.
Finally, the Structural Assistance Grant is intended to assist with structural repairs or contribute to the replacement of a home.
Uninsured or low-income renters can receive up to $50,000.
People will soon be able to check their eligibility and how to make a claim on the Services Australia website. The easiest way for people to make a claim is online via myGov.
Equivalent financial assistance is available to eligible New Zealand citizens who hold a non-protected special category and subclass 444 visa.