Media Release by Senator the Hon Amanda Vanstone

New Web Site to Help Bali Victims and Families

A new web site is now online to give Bali victims and their families a central point of information that contains all of the financial assistance and government services available to them.

The website will offer a range of information including health care, counselling, fact sheets, important contact numbers, updates on news items and frequently asked questions outlining the assistance available across Commonwealth agencies and related stakeholders.

The information on the site will be relevant for both victims and their families, as well as for those in the community who are supporting them through this ordeal.

An inter-departmental taskforce is working hard at addressing issues affecting Bali victims and their families so that timely, sensitive and appropriate assistance is provided.

The Howard Government is committed to helping Australians affected by this tragedy and recently announced that all reasonable expenses incurred by victims and their immediate families would be covered.

Some of the financial help provided to affected people includes: all medical and travel costs for victims; travel and accommodation costs for relatives; funeral expenses not covered by insurance; and income support for those unable to support themselves due to personal injury or caring for a relative.

Centrelink is also operating a 24-hour hotline service to help victims and their families. The telephone number is 13 61 25 for people calling in Australia and an International Freecall 001 803 61 383 for those phoning from Indonesia.