Supporting Australians affected by disaster

The 2009-10 Budget details the level of financial support provided to Australians affected by the devastating Victorian bushfires, the North Queensland floods, the South East Queensland storms, and the Mumbai terrorist attacks.

From 20 November 2008 to 1 May 2009, Government disaster recovery payments totalled $131.5 million.

Support packages provided by the Rudd Government include the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP), which provides immediate, one-off financial assistance to people adversely affected by major disasters, Funeral/Memorial Assistance and in some cases, an Income Recovery Subsidy.

The Rudd Government will continue to provide support for Australians affected by disasters at home and overseas.

Victorian bushfires (January/February 2009)

AGDRP: As at 1 May 2009, $58.7 million has been paid to assist more than 50,000 adults and about 20,000 children adversely affected by the Victorian Bushfires. This payment, which closes on 7 August 2009, provides $1,000 for each eligible adult and $400 for each child.

Funeral/Memorial Assistance: As of 1 May 2009 $765,000 has been paid to more than 100 families to assist with the funeral/memorial and associated costs arising from the loss of a loved one in the Victorian Bushfires. This assistance of $5,000 for each deceased person closes on 28 February 2010.

Income Recovery Subsidy: This income support payment was provided to employees, small business people and farmers who lost income as a direct result of the bushfires. As at 1 May 2009, $6.6 million had been provided to assist more than 3,400 individuals.

This fortnightly payment is available for 26 weeks, from 29 January 2009 until 11 August 2009.

Queensland floods (January/February 2009)

AGDRP: As of 1 May 2009, $43 million has been paid to assist over 35,000 adults and about 20,000 children adversely affected by the North Queensland Floods. This payment, which closes on 7 August 2009, provides $1,000 for each eligible adult and $400 for each child.

Funeral/Memorial Assistance: This payment provided $5,000 to one eligible immediate family member of a person who had died as a result of the North Queensland Floods. This assistance closes on 28 February 2010.

Income Recovery Subsidy: This income support payment was available to employees, small business people, and farmers who lost income as a direct result of the floods in North Queensland and North Western Queensland. As at 1 May 2009, $3.7 million had been provided to assist more than 3,100 individuals.

This fortnightly payment was available for 13 weeks, to 12 April 2009 for those affected by the North Western Queensland floods, and to 12 May 2009 for those affected by the North Queensland floods.

South-East Queensland storms (November 2008)

AGDRP: As of 1 May 2009, $18.8 million has been paid to assist more than 15,000 adults and about 9,000 children adversely affected by the South-East Queensland Storms. This payment, which closes on 20 May 2009, provides $1,000 for each eligible adult and $400 for each child.

Mumbai terrorist attacks

In addition to these payments to people affected by disasters at home, those caught in the Mumbai terrorist attacks in late November 2008 also received financial support from the Rudd Government.

More than 100 claims for assistance were approved, which provided support through the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment following the Mumbai terrorist attacks in November 2008. The Government also made available Funeral/Memorial assistance of $5,000 to the families of two Australians who died as a result of the attacks.