Flood-hit Aussies to receive $1000 relief payments – with residents in 23 stricken council areas eligible for immediate cash support
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced new emergency flood support payments for Aussies who live in the 23 hardest hit council areas of NSW.
Flood-affected residents will be eligible for $1000 disaster payments for adults and $400 for children, which will be transferred into bank accounts as early as Thursday.
The news comes as the Prime Minister prepares to visit the flood-devastated Hawkesbury district in Sydney’s north-west, which has been hit by major flooding for the third time within months.
‘I can say the Australian government has made a decision already that the disaster recovery payment will be available from tomorrow,’ Mr Albanese told the ABC on Wednesday.
‘That will be $1,000 for every eligible adult who has been impacted here. $400 for every child will be available across the 23 local government areas that have been impacted so far.’
Mr Albanese said the Federal Cabinet made the decision on Tuesday, shortly after he returned to Australia from his week-long trip to Europe.
Eligible local government areas include Blacktown, Blue Mountains, Camden, Canterbury Bankstown, Campbelltown, Central Coast, Cessnock, Fairfield, Georges River, Hawkesbury, Hornsby, Kiama, Lithgow, Liverpool, Northern Beaches, Penrith, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Sutherland, The Hills, Wingecarribee, Wollondilly and Wollongong.
The disaster payments are in addition to initial assistance flagged by the federal and NSW governments announced earlier this week.
‘We know this is having a real impact on people. We want to make sure the supports are available as soon as possible,’ Mr Albanese said.
‘That’s why we’ve been very quick to act in partnership with the NSW government and it is pleasing that we’ve been able to work together so strongly. We know that these circumstances have impacted people there in the area where you are.’
Mr Albanese will be joined by NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet on his visit to Windsor, where the Hawkesbury River has reached its highest level in more than 40 years.
They will also visit flood devastated communities in the Illawarra and Hunter regions.
More to follow
During an interview with the ABC, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said flood-affected residents will be eligible for $1000 disaster payments for adults and $400 for children
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