Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Attorney-General Robert McClelland today announced additional Commonwealth Government assistance for people impacted by the bushfires in Western Australia earlier this week.
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment will be made available to victims of the recent bushfires.
These payments will see $1000 for each eligible adult and $400 for each eligible child in the hands of families in need, including people whose homes have been destroyed or have sustained major damage. Eligibility criteria apply for people claiming the AGDRP.
The payment will also be made available to people impacted by flooding last month in the Carnavon region.
The payments will be available in the following Local Government Areas notified as disaster affected by the WA Government.
WA Bushfires- Armadale, Canning, Chittering, Serpentine Jarrahdale and the City of Swan.
Carnarvon Floods- Ashburton, Carnarvon, Exmouth, Murchison, Northampton, Shark Bay and Upper Gascoyne.
Today's announcement is in addition to Commonwealth Assistance already being provided, including:
* Assistance under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements; and
* The Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy.
In addition to today's announcements, Commonwealth disaster assistance available in Western Australia includes:
Assistance under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements
People affected by the December bushfires, storms and floods in Western Australia have access to a range of Commonwealth assistance through the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).
These payments are jointly funded by the Commonwealth and WA Governments and administered through WA Government agencies.
This includes:
* Personal hardship and distress assistance including:
* The provision of emergency assistance including emergency accommodation, food, essential clothing and other personal items - payments of up to $388 per eligible adult and up to $194 per eligible child on the 1st day of assistance (with reductions in payment levels on subsequent days);
* Temporary living expenses of up to $110 per day per adult/family in the metropolitan area and up to $150 per day per adult/family in country areas;
* Up to $5,000 - to assist with the reconnection of electricity.
* Up to $10,000 - for the replacement of white goods and floors coverings.
* Restoration of essential public assets for local councils
* Cost of counter disaster operations
* Interest-rate subsidies for loans of up to $150,000 for small businesses and primary producers
* Professional advice grants and freight subsidies for primary producers; and
* Clean-up and recovery grants of up to $25,000 for small businesses and primary producers.
The Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy
The Government has extended additional support for eligible employees, small businesses and farmers in these areas who can demonstrate a loss of income as a direct result of the bushfires and floods.
The Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy is a fortnightly payment of up to the maximum rate of existing Newstart Allowance for a period of 13 weeks. The subsidy will be available to those who will experience a loss of income as a direct result of the cyclone and its impact and are not currently receiving any other income support payment or pension.
The Commonwealth Government will support these people who will be unable to work through no fault of their own.
For more information about the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment or Disaster Income Recovery, visit your local Centrelink office or phone 180 2266. Centrelink will be accepting claims under the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment from Monday.
For information regarding personal support contact the WA Department of Child Protection on 1800 199 008.
For information on assistance for small businesses, contact the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia on (08) 9323 9552.
For information on support for primary producers, contact the WA Department of Agriculture and Food on 1800 198 231.
Information about Commonwealth Government assistance is also available by visiting www.disasterassist.gov.auor www.centrelink.gov.au