BREAKING NEWS How to get disaster recovery allowance if you are impacted by flooding in Kempsey, Port Macquarie, Dungog and Mid Coast
Disaster recovery allowance payments for those affected by the NSW rain bomb will be made available.
The allowance is available for workers who will lose income, such as those who are unable to go to work or whose employer has had to cease operating.
The allowance has been made available for four impacted LGAs.
These are the Kempsey, Port Macquarie, Dungog and the Mid Coast Council areas.
'That is to assist people who have been impacted with up to 13 weeks' allowance in lieu of them being able to undertake their usual course of employment,' Federal emergency management minister Kristy McBain said.
Impacted residents will be able to apply via the MyGov website.
'If you're eligible, you'll get the maximum equivalent rate of JobSeeker Payment or Youth Allowance, depending on your personal circumstances,' Services Australia said
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The Guardian
7 days ago
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Veteran-led disaster recovery group calls on Albanese for help to build army of 10,000 volunteers
The veteran-led organisation on the frontline of disaster recovery wants federal government support to help establish a 10,000-strong volunteer army. Disaster Relief Australia (DRA) is pushing for a new funding deal to secure its future and grow its force, as it positions itself as an alternative to the Australian defence force in the aftermath of major floods, fires and cyclones. The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, on Monday said the organisation did 'amazing work' and the government would 'work with them constructively' – but stopped short of guaranteeing new funding. The not-for-profit DRA, which draws on veterans' skills and experience, is being increasingly utilised to support other volunteers preparing for and recovering from natural disasters. A crew of 100 volunteers is set to join 70 ADF personnel this week to assist with the cleanup operation from the floods on the New South Wales mid-north coast – helping clear debris, reopen roads and conduct welfare checks on residents in the flood zone. But its long-term funding is up in the air, with a three-year, $38.3m federal grant to substantially bolster its ranks due to expire in mid-2026. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email On 6 January, the organisation wrote to Albanese and then opposition leader Peter Dutton, seeking pre-election commitments to fund a new 'national veteran volunteer program (NVVP)' after the old deal ran out. The four-year, $87.5m plan would allow DRA to grow its numbers to 10,000, up from more than 5,500, according to the letter seen by Guardian Australia. Among the organisation's major selling points was its ability to ease the burden on the ADF, which was heavily relied upon during the black summer bushfires and stretched further during the Covid-19 pandemic. The 2023 defence strategic review found the ADF must be the 'force of last resort' to ensure the military could focus on its primary purpose of defending the country. In their letter, DRA said it was the only organisation outside the ADF with a proven capacity to perform in the preparation, relief and recovery phases of a disaster. 'Australia is increasingly challenged by more frequent and severe disasters, which are placing immense pressure on emergency services and often necessitating the use of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) for disaster relief and recovery,' the letter read. 'As climate change intensifies these crises, the reduction per capita in the number of volunteers and emergency services personnel continues and the geo-political situation becomes more uncertain, a strategic shift is needed to build a more disaster resilient nation and reduce the demand on the ADF by investing significantly in dedicated disaster preparedness, relief and recovery capabilities.' The organisation secured a $64.5m funding commitment from the Coalition during the election campaign – but no new pledge from Labor. After Labor's election win, the chief executive of DRA, David Smith, wrote to Albanese and his new minister for emergency management, Kristy McBain, to reiterate the request. 'While support for the … proposal was not the subject of a government announcement during the election, we remain confident of your government's ongoing support for DRA,' Smith wrote. 'Nevertheless, given the expiration of our current grant in March 2026, and the required lead time for operational planning and workforce management, we would like to confirm the government's commitment to fund the NVVP as soon as possible.' The original $38m in funding for DRA was one of Labor's 2022 election commitments. Asked on Monday if the government was considering DRA's recent proposal, Albanese praised the organisation but did not commit to new funding. 'We are strong supporters of Disaster Relief Australia,' the prime minister said. 'They do amazing work, and they are made up, of course, of a lot of former members of the defence force personnel. And just a big shout out to them. We'll continue to work with them constructively.' The defence minister, Richard Marles, said coordination between levels of government and the role of first responders such as the SES was helping to ease the burden on the ADF. 'I think we are getting our policies better as we're moving forward, but when there is a moment when there is a crisis, and that call is made for Defence, Defence will always come,' Marles said. Albanese said the ADF's presence also provided a morale boost to communities. 'From my experience, the presence of ADF personnel on the ground brings enormous confidence to communities that are really doing it tough. It's a sign of how seriously we as a nation are taking what is a catastrophic event,' he said.
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Anthony Albanese confirms payments for those impacted by the floods: What you need to know
Financial relief for people affected by the flooding has been confirmed by the Prime Minister and NSW Premier during a press conference on Friday. Three additional local government areas - Armidale, Muswellbrook, and Walcha - have been added to the original list of 16 regions eligible for the Disaster Recovery Allowance. This payment is available for workers who will lose income, such as those who are unable to go to work or whose employer has had to cease operating for up to 13 weeks. The payment amount is usually assessed on a case-by-case basis, with the maximum not exceeding Jobseeker and Youth Allowance payments. 'That provides for up to 13 weeks' pay for people who are employees unable to work or people who are sole traders, self-employed, too,' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said. 'That will be made available from 2pm on this coming Monday as well.' Services Australia will provide on-the-ground assistance as soon as possible to ensure payments can be made for those people who need it, and those impacted can also apply on the MyGov website. Albanese said disaster recovery will commence as soon as possible. Premier Minns also announced state-funded personal hardship assistance grants, which will soon be available for immediate needs such as food, clothing, and emergency accommodation. The grants will be $180 for an individual or $900 for a family. Applicants must demonstrate they have suffered hardship as result of the disaster, making them unable to meet immediate needs. 'It's not today but that funding is on the way for communities that are subject to an evacuation order,' Minns said. 'I want to make clear that I know, particularly for businesses and the local economy, that it will take more than these hardship grants to get these towns back on their feet. 'But I wanted to get the ball rolling and the clear message from myself and the prime minister is these projects and grants were essential and needed to be announced as soon as possible.' Further details will be announced on Saturday morning, including how people can access the grants. Major banks have introduced emergency support for people affected by the floods, including options to increase overdraft limits and temporarily defer mortgage repayments. Legal Aid NSW warned on Thursday it could be too late for people affected to update their insurance, but not to protect themselves by recording what is happening. 'If it's safe, take photos and videos of water entering your home or property, furniture, electronics, and other important contents, water levels inside and outside (and) use your phone's timestamp,' a statement on social media said. It also advised people record what was damaged, when flooding began and any emergency steps taken. 'This evidence can support insurance claims, even if you're not covered for flood, and help with disaster relief or legal support later,' the organisation said.
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS How to get disaster recovery allowance if you are impacted by flooding in Kempsey, Port Macquarie, Dungog and Mid Coast
Disaster recovery allowance payments for those affected by the NSW rain bomb will be made available. The allowance is available for workers who will lose income, such as those who are unable to go to work or whose employer has had to cease operating. The allowance has been made available for four impacted LGAs. These are the Kempsey, Port Macquarie, Dungog and the Mid Coast Council areas. 'That is to assist people who have been impacted with up to 13 weeks' allowance in lieu of them being able to undertake their usual course of employment,' Federal emergency management minister Kristy McBain said. Impacted residents will be able to apply via the MyGov website. 'If you're eligible, you'll get the maximum equivalent rate of JobSeeker Payment or Youth Allowance, depending on your personal circumstances,' Services Australia said
