Extra funding for emergency relief services in flood-affected Queensland

The Parliamentary Secretary for Community Services, Julie Collins, today announced the Gillard Government will provide an additional $1.03 million in Emergency Relief funding to community and charitable organisations to help Queenslanders in flood-affected areas.

The funds will go to existing Emergency Relief services in the affected areas and will help to provide food, clothing, household items and financial support to families and individuals coping with the state’s largest ever natural disaster.

“It is crucial that families and individuals continue to have access to community services and this funding will assist as people start to rebuild their lives,” Ms Collins said.

“The Gillard Government is providing $1.03 million in supplementary Emergency Relief funding to community and charitable organisations to enable them to deliver more assistance to people whose lives have been affected by the floods.

“Emergency Relief funds help community organisations provide people in need with vouchers for essential items such as food, transport or chemist supplies, help people find accommodation, and can provide part-payment of utility bills and referrals to other services.

“Funding will be offered to 82 organisations located in the flood-affected areas that currently have Emergency Relief services operating and are able to quickly deliver help to those most in need.

“These organisations are the focal point of the community and will be pivotal in the recovery of the community.

“Today’s announcement is in addition to more than $375 million in Commonwealth disaster assistance that has been provided through Centrelink to people affected by the floods crisis.

“It’s also on top of joint Commonwealth/State Government Emergency Payments available through the Queensland Government.

“This assistance is the first stage of billions of dollars the Commonwealth Government will provide to help rebuild Queensland.”

Ms Collins is visiting community organisations in Brisbane, Ipswich and Toowoomba to see first-hand how service providers were responding to the recovery effort and to show her support to the many staff and volunteers who were continuing to deliver services to local communities in flood-affected areas.

“I am heartened by the efforts of the many people who have worked tirelessly to ensure that the delivery of services to local communities continues throughout the recovery phase.

“I have been inspired by the depth of community spirit here in south-east Queensland. Members of the community are working closely together to deal with the impact of the floods.

“I have heard heartfelt stories of how staff and volunteers have continued to provide services to those in need despite experiencing devastating loss and destruction themselves.

“The flooding has had a significant impact on people’s daily lives and the Australian Government will continue to work with community organisations to ensure they have the resources they need to help flood-affected communities.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank community service providers and the thousands of volunteers who have supported individuals and families living in flood-affected areas,” Ms Collins said.

The Emergency Relief funding will be spread across flood-affected areas of Queensland including Brisbane, Darling Downs, Fitzroy, Mackay, South West Queensland, Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay-Burnett, Goodna, Riverview and the Ipswich region.

More information about Commonwealth assistance for people impacted by flooding is available by visiting www.disasterassist.gov.au.