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ISCOVER
The federal government has announced additional LGAs that are now eligible for the Australian government Disaster Recovery Payment in response to widespread floods.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently spoke at a press conference in Victoria alongside Premier Dan Andrews, announcing that the disaster payment of $1,000 per adult and $400 per child has been extended to 44 additional local government areas (LGAs) that were affected by the ongoing flooding across Victoria, Tasmania and NSW.
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The payment has been extended to 23 LGAs in Victoria, 17 LGAs in Tasmania and a further four LGAs in NSW, bringing the total number of NSW LGAs eligible for the allowance to 31.
Additionally, the recovery payment has been made available to assist employers and sole traders whose income has taken a hit as a direct result of a major disaster, which will be payable for a maximum of 13 weeks.
Mr Albanese stated the Commonwealth “stands ready and committed to provide support now and through the recovery” for people in flood-affected regions.
“It’s heartbreaking to think that for many people this is the third or fourth time in 18 months that their lives have been disrupted by a natural disaster of this magnitude,” Mr Albanese said.
“Over the last few years our resilience has been tested time and time again, and many people are doing it tough.”
Along with the government relief, the major banks have taken measures for customers who have been affected financially by the extensive flooding along the east coast and Tasmania.
NAB, Commonwealth Bank (CBA), ANZ and Westpac are all offering support such as loan deferrals or reduced payment arrangements, deferring upcoming credit card payments, and waiving and/or refunding fees and charges.
Furthermore, CBA is offering special arrangements for customers through its CBA Emergency Assistance that includes temporary overdrafts, additional loans or emergency credit limit increases and emergency accommodation for CommBank Home Insurance customers.
Bendigo Bank has also launched a Victorian Flood Appeal in order to raise funds in support of the Victorian communities most affected by the extensive flooding.
The funds raised by Bendigo Bank’s charitable arm, Community Enterprise Foundation, will be sent to impacted individuals to aid in recovery over the immediate, medium and long term.
Bendigo Bank chief customer officer for consumer banking, Richard Fennell, said the bank is ready to support customers with their homes, business and livestock “inundated by floodwaters now and in the future.”
Calls for more resilient housing
As parts of the country battle with more flooding,
Speaking on ABC’s Q+A discussion last week, Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones, has said the government was focused on “ensuring we’re building infrastructure that can withstand the impacts of severe weather events”.
Ahead of the federal budget due to be handed down next week, Mr Jones said that there would be “more to say” around specific policies.
“We know that building a house in a particular place is going to put the residents of that place at risk, ‘cause you’re building in a flood plain or you’re building in a dangerous area, then we should stop doing it, the Assistant Treasurer said.
“Climate change and severe weather events are no longer something that’s happening in the future… it’s upon us.”
[RELATED: Banks offer financial support for flood-affected customers]
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