PRIME MINISTER Press Statement No. 178
23 January' 1974
AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE
FOR NEW4 SOUTH WALES FLOODS
The Prime minister today released details of further
Australian Government proposals for assistance to New South Wales
for the purpose of assisting victims of the widespread floods
in that State. Mr. Whitlam announced on 11 January that he had informed
the Premiers of New South Wales and Queensland that the Australian
Government was prepared to join in the normal way with their
Governments in providing financial assistance * on a dollar for
dollar basis for financing the relief of personal hardship and
distress in the affected areas. He had also referred to the
co-operation of the Australian defence services with the State
Civil Defence and Emergency Services in providing assistance in
flooded areas, and said that this co-operation would continue.
He had informed the two Premiers that his Government was prepared
to consider quickly and sympathetically State proposals for other
assistance. Mr. Whitlam said that, following discussions between
officials of the Australian and New South Wales Governments, the
Australian Government had agreed to assist the State with a
comprehensive range of measures to provide relief and to assist in
the restoration of essential public services and facilities.
He had written ' o the Premier of New South Wales to inform him of
this. The assistance which the State Government had agreed to
provide would include:-
Special assistance through the Rural Bank of New South
Wales to primary producers affected by the floods, covering
advances at concessional rates of interest and favourable
repayment terms to meet carry-on requirements such as the
purchase of household stores and other essentials; for
the replacement of stock and plant lost; and for the
replacement of essential improvements destroyed, excluding
dwellings.
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Rail freight rebates on donated food, fodder, clothing,
etc., for distribution to flood victims.
rail freight concessions on the carriage of fodder
purchased for starving stock and the transport of stock
from flood-affected properties for agistment in respect
of approved districts.
Qtants to Councils to enable them to undertake emergency
repair works of a temporary nature in order to restore
essential services such as water supply and sewerage.
Grants for the restoration of Council roads, bridges,
etc., and for the restoration of Council electricity
and water supply undertakings where the authorities are
unable to finance these from their own resources. In
these cases, Councils will be expected to make a
contribution to the cost of the necessary works commensurate
with their own resources.
Grants for costs of repairing flood-damaged railway
lines and facilities, and for repairs to roads and bridges
under the control of the Department of main Roads.
Mr. Whitlam said that the New South Wales Government would
be expected to meet expenditure on the foregoing measures up to a
specified maximum annual amount of $ 5 million. Any expenditure
beyond that amount would be accepted in full by the Australian
Government, thus ensuring that the contribution by New South Wales
was limited and known in advance.
Mr. Whitlam. pointed out that the funds provided by the
Australian Government would take the form of grants where the New Souti
Wales Government provided grants, and interest-free loans where the
funds were provided by the State by way of loans. The Australian
Government had given a similar assurance in broad terms to the
Queensland Government whose specified maximum commitment is $ 2
million but had not yet received any information on measures
contemplated by that Government, apart from the immediate relief
of personal hardship and distress.
The Prime Minister said that the Commissioner of Taxation
had advised that in cases where, because of adverse financial
circumstances caused by the floods, a taxpayer is experiencing
difficulty in paying his tax, sympathetic consideration would be
given to extending the time for payment. Any taxpayer so affected
should make an individual application to the Deputy Commissioner
in his or her State for additional time to pay.
The Commissioner had also confirmed that income tax
deductions are allowable for gifts of $ 2 or more if made to any
public fund established and maintained for the relief of persons
in Australia who are in necessitous circumstances as a result of
the floods.
CANBERRA. A. C. T.