PM Transcripts

PRIME MAINISTER
FOR MEDIA WEDNESDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 1SI82
COMMONWEALTH' ASSISTANCE FOR FLOODS IN THE SOUTHi-WEST REGION
OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
I have written to the Premier of Western Australia concerning
the extensive flooding which has taken place in the South-West
of the State. The Commonwealth has agreed that a number of
relief measures proposed by the Premier would be eligible
for Commonwealth assistance under the natural disaster relief
arrangements. These measures have been estimated to cost a total of*
million and include:
grants for relief of personal hardship and distress
grants for restoration of public assets to pre-disaster
standard and emergency protection and repair work by
State, local and semi-government authorities
concessional loans to primary producers in working
occupation of their properties for purchase of
feed, restocking and restoration purposes, and
freight subsidies for the transport of fodder,
stock to and from agistment, and fence posts.
The subsidy on the transport of fence posts is an additional
measure to those provided under the arrangements, and the
Commonwealth has agreed to its inclusion for this disaster
only in recognition of the severity of the floods.
Under the nat~ ural disaster relief arrangements the Commonweal. th
provides $ 3 : or $ 1 of State expenditure on approved relief
measures above the State's base figure for expenditure on al.
major natural disasters in a financial year.
I have noted the work of State emergency services in acting to
contain the damage in what was a major flood situation. It is
particularly noteworthy that there has been no loss of life in
this emergency. 000---