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The Age
3 days ago
- Business
- The Age
Budget $5 billion better off thanks to bigger tax scoop
Australians paying more income tax than expected last month have helped deliver a $5 billion improvement to the federal budget's bottom line as the government looks to wrangle the nation's finances into a better position. The latest monthly financial statements, released by Finance Minister Katy Gallagher on Friday, showed the budget remained in a $19.2 billion deficit – but was better placed in the 12 months to April than the $24 billion deficit projected for the same period at the federal budget. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said in March that the budget would be in deficit for the next decade after delivering surpluses in the two prior years, drawing ire from the Coalition even though the opposition's costings revealed towards the end of the campaign that its policies would sink the bottom line by $7.9 billion more in the first two years. But after winning an overwhelming majority at the election, Labor is under pressure to make difficult decisions aimed at bolstering the budget as the country faces structural issues such as an ageing population that will require further spending in health and aged care. The latest improvement to the budget since March was driven by a $3.9 billion larger tax collection than anticipated and about $850 million less in payments made by the government. Loading The government's coffers were topped up by about $3 billion in additional company tax, $1 billion in additional superannuation fund taxes and more than $1 billion in additional tax collected from individuals. This was partly offset by lower collections of some other taxes, including excise duty, luxury car tax and the wine equalisation tax. Higher income tax collections were likely driven by higher wages and company profits. Wages rose 3.4 per cent in the 12 months to the March quarter, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, outpacing price growth, which increased 2.4 per cent. Outlays from the government also came in smaller than expected, driven by about $300 million less in payments made for grants and subsidies, $1.5 billion less paid for goods and services associated with the government's operations, and a $100 million smaller interest bill. This was partly offset by increases in other payments such as $300 million more in personal benefit payments such as the age pension, JobSeeker and disability support pension.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Budget $5 billion better off thanks to bigger tax scoop
Australians paying more income tax than expected last month have helped deliver a $5 billion improvement to the federal budget's bottom line as the government looks to wrangle the nation's finances into a better position. The latest monthly financial statements, released by Finance Minister Katy Gallagher on Friday, showed the budget remained in a $19.2 billion deficit – but was better placed in the 12 months to April than the $24 billion deficit projected for the same period at the federal budget. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said in March that the budget would be in deficit for the next decade after delivering surpluses in the two prior years, drawing ire from the Coalition even though the opposition's costings revealed towards the end of the campaign that its policies would sink the bottom line by $7.9 billion more in the first two years. But after winning an overwhelming majority at the election, Labor is under pressure to make difficult decisions aimed at bolstering the budget as the country faces structural issues such as an ageing population that will require further spending in health and aged care. The latest improvement to the budget since March was driven by a $3.9 billion larger tax collection than anticipated and about $850 million less in payments made by the government. Loading The government's coffers were topped up by about $3 billion in additional company tax, $1 billion in additional superannuation fund taxes and more than $1 billion in additional tax collected from individuals. This was partly offset by lower collections of some other taxes, including excise duty, luxury car tax and the wine equalisation tax. Higher income tax collections were likely driven by higher wages and company profits. Wages rose 3.4 per cent in the 12 months to the March quarter, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, outpacing price growth, which increased 2.4 per cent. Outlays from the government also came in smaller than expected, driven by about $300 million less in payments made for grants and subsidies, $1.5 billion less paid for goods and services associated with the government's operations, and a $100 million smaller interest bill. This was partly offset by increases in other payments such as $300 million more in personal benefit payments such as the age pension, JobSeeker and disability support pension.
The Advertiser
26-05-2025
- Climate
- The Advertiser
Flood damage heartbreak as army called in for clean-up
People have been picking up their muddied possessions and surveying damage from "heartbreaking" floods, as troops are deployed to help with the massive clean-up. The number of homes deemed uninhabitable from the NSW mid-north coast floods rose to 400 on Monday, with 12,000 residents in multiple towns isolated. State MP Michael Kemp said it was tough touring ravaged regions and seeing "people's livelihoods on the side of the kerb". The after-effects of the floods that killed five people were "heartbreaking", NSW Reconstruction Authority chief executive Mal Lanyon said. "To see people's possessions on sidewalks, to see the impact on dairy cattle, to see the impact right across this region is really difficult," he said. "But what it does do is steel us to stand alongside the community to make sure we provide support." Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said 70 Australian Defence Force personnel would be dispatched from Tuesday to help with recovery and clean-up efforts. "The presence of ADF personnel on the ground brings enormous confidence to communities that are really doing it tough," he told reporters on Monday. "It's a sign of how seriously we, as a nation, are taking what is a catastrophic event." Another 100 people, mostly veterans, from non-government group Disaster Relief Australia, and volunteers from grassroots groups will bolster support on the ground. Artist and gallery owner Nadia Zarb moved to Taree four years ago and said she did not know how she could have coped with her second flood in that time if not for community support. "I'm actually not too bad ... because I've had the help," she told AAP. "We've got the best community, we've got the support around us and I couldn't ask for anything more." More than 3500 damage assessments have been completed, resulting in 400 homes deemed uninhabitable around Taree, Wingham and Glenthorne. The figure is expected to rise sharply as damage to an estimated 10,000 properties across the Hunter and mid-north coast regions of NSW is evaluated. Those who have lost income in the four worst-affected areas can apply via myGov for support equivalent to JobSeeker for up to 13 weeks. Primary producers are eligible for freight subsidies to help transport livestock and fodder. It is part of joint federal-state natural disaster recovery arrangements activated for 19 local government areas, including small loans for business. Despite floodwaters receding, rescuers face challenging conditions. In one case, they had to paddle two hours to reach two people and their working dogs who has been stranded for three days on a remote farm near Kempsey. The crew ripped down a bamboo fence and crafted a makeshift raft to tow them to safety, with the spotlight from a drone guiding them as night fell, Fire and Rescue NSW said. Heavy-lifting drones have been used to drop hay to isolated farms and for aerial welfare checks at properties. Using bulk water carriers, firefighters have been moving 250,000 litres an hour from Kempsey's town centre back into the Macleay River. Insurers have received more than 3500 claims so far, 80 per cent of which are personal property claims. Flood-affected residents are being asked to be patient and await advice from the SES before returning to their properties. The state government is opening five recovery centres in flood-impacted areas from Tuesday, offering a range of support services to affected residents. But communities could face a new weather threat in coming days. A cold front with strong winds of 60 to 80km/h due on Monday and Tuesday could hamper recovery efforts, cause damage and bring down trees, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned. People have been picking up their muddied possessions and surveying damage from "heartbreaking" floods, as troops are deployed to help with the massive clean-up. The number of homes deemed uninhabitable from the NSW mid-north coast floods rose to 400 on Monday, with 12,000 residents in multiple towns isolated. State MP Michael Kemp said it was tough touring ravaged regions and seeing "people's livelihoods on the side of the kerb". The after-effects of the floods that killed five people were "heartbreaking", NSW Reconstruction Authority chief executive Mal Lanyon said. "To see people's possessions on sidewalks, to see the impact on dairy cattle, to see the impact right across this region is really difficult," he said. "But what it does do is steel us to stand alongside the community to make sure we provide support." Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said 70 Australian Defence Force personnel would be dispatched from Tuesday to help with recovery and clean-up efforts. "The presence of ADF personnel on the ground brings enormous confidence to communities that are really doing it tough," he told reporters on Monday. "It's a sign of how seriously we, as a nation, are taking what is a catastrophic event." Another 100 people, mostly veterans, from non-government group Disaster Relief Australia, and volunteers from grassroots groups will bolster support on the ground. Artist and gallery owner Nadia Zarb moved to Taree four years ago and said she did not know how she could have coped with her second flood in that time if not for community support. "I'm actually not too bad ... because I've had the help," she told AAP. "We've got the best community, we've got the support around us and I couldn't ask for anything more." More than 3500 damage assessments have been completed, resulting in 400 homes deemed uninhabitable around Taree, Wingham and Glenthorne. The figure is expected to rise sharply as damage to an estimated 10,000 properties across the Hunter and mid-north coast regions of NSW is evaluated. Those who have lost income in the four worst-affected areas can apply via myGov for support equivalent to JobSeeker for up to 13 weeks. Primary producers are eligible for freight subsidies to help transport livestock and fodder. It is part of joint federal-state natural disaster recovery arrangements activated for 19 local government areas, including small loans for business. Despite floodwaters receding, rescuers face challenging conditions. In one case, they had to paddle two hours to reach two people and their working dogs who has been stranded for three days on a remote farm near Kempsey. The crew ripped down a bamboo fence and crafted a makeshift raft to tow them to safety, with the spotlight from a drone guiding them as night fell, Fire and Rescue NSW said. Heavy-lifting drones have been used to drop hay to isolated farms and for aerial welfare checks at properties. Using bulk water carriers, firefighters have been moving 250,000 litres an hour from Kempsey's town centre back into the Macleay River. Insurers have received more than 3500 claims so far, 80 per cent of which are personal property claims. Flood-affected residents are being asked to be patient and await advice from the SES before returning to their properties. The state government is opening five recovery centres in flood-impacted areas from Tuesday, offering a range of support services to affected residents. But communities could face a new weather threat in coming days. A cold front with strong winds of 60 to 80km/h due on Monday and Tuesday could hamper recovery efforts, cause damage and bring down trees, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned. People have been picking up their muddied possessions and surveying damage from "heartbreaking" floods, as troops are deployed to help with the massive clean-up. The number of homes deemed uninhabitable from the NSW mid-north coast floods rose to 400 on Monday, with 12,000 residents in multiple towns isolated. State MP Michael Kemp said it was tough touring ravaged regions and seeing "people's livelihoods on the side of the kerb". The after-effects of the floods that killed five people were "heartbreaking", NSW Reconstruction Authority chief executive Mal Lanyon said. "To see people's possessions on sidewalks, to see the impact on dairy cattle, to see the impact right across this region is really difficult," he said. "But what it does do is steel us to stand alongside the community to make sure we provide support." Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said 70 Australian Defence Force personnel would be dispatched from Tuesday to help with recovery and clean-up efforts. "The presence of ADF personnel on the ground brings enormous confidence to communities that are really doing it tough," he told reporters on Monday. "It's a sign of how seriously we, as a nation, are taking what is a catastrophic event." Another 100 people, mostly veterans, from non-government group Disaster Relief Australia, and volunteers from grassroots groups will bolster support on the ground. Artist and gallery owner Nadia Zarb moved to Taree four years ago and said she did not know how she could have coped with her second flood in that time if not for community support. "I'm actually not too bad ... because I've had the help," she told AAP. "We've got the best community, we've got the support around us and I couldn't ask for anything more." More than 3500 damage assessments have been completed, resulting in 400 homes deemed uninhabitable around Taree, Wingham and Glenthorne. The figure is expected to rise sharply as damage to an estimated 10,000 properties across the Hunter and mid-north coast regions of NSW is evaluated. Those who have lost income in the four worst-affected areas can apply via myGov for support equivalent to JobSeeker for up to 13 weeks. Primary producers are eligible for freight subsidies to help transport livestock and fodder. It is part of joint federal-state natural disaster recovery arrangements activated for 19 local government areas, including small loans for business. Despite floodwaters receding, rescuers face challenging conditions. In one case, they had to paddle two hours to reach two people and their working dogs who has been stranded for three days on a remote farm near Kempsey. The crew ripped down a bamboo fence and crafted a makeshift raft to tow them to safety, with the spotlight from a drone guiding them as night fell, Fire and Rescue NSW said. Heavy-lifting drones have been used to drop hay to isolated farms and for aerial welfare checks at properties. Using bulk water carriers, firefighters have been moving 250,000 litres an hour from Kempsey's town centre back into the Macleay River. Insurers have received more than 3500 claims so far, 80 per cent of which are personal property claims. Flood-affected residents are being asked to be patient and await advice from the SES before returning to their properties. The state government is opening five recovery centres in flood-impacted areas from Tuesday, offering a range of support services to affected residents. But communities could face a new weather threat in coming days. A cold front with strong winds of 60 to 80km/h due on Monday and Tuesday could hamper recovery efforts, cause damage and bring down trees, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned. People have been picking up their muddied possessions and surveying damage from "heartbreaking" floods, as troops are deployed to help with the massive clean-up. The number of homes deemed uninhabitable from the NSW mid-north coast floods rose to 400 on Monday, with 12,000 residents in multiple towns isolated. State MP Michael Kemp said it was tough touring ravaged regions and seeing "people's livelihoods on the side of the kerb". The after-effects of the floods that killed five people were "heartbreaking", NSW Reconstruction Authority chief executive Mal Lanyon said. "To see people's possessions on sidewalks, to see the impact on dairy cattle, to see the impact right across this region is really difficult," he said. "But what it does do is steel us to stand alongside the community to make sure we provide support." Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said 70 Australian Defence Force personnel would be dispatched from Tuesday to help with recovery and clean-up efforts. "The presence of ADF personnel on the ground brings enormous confidence to communities that are really doing it tough," he told reporters on Monday. "It's a sign of how seriously we, as a nation, are taking what is a catastrophic event." Another 100 people, mostly veterans, from non-government group Disaster Relief Australia, and volunteers from grassroots groups will bolster support on the ground. Artist and gallery owner Nadia Zarb moved to Taree four years ago and said she did not know how she could have coped with her second flood in that time if not for community support. "I'm actually not too bad ... because I've had the help," she told AAP. "We've got the best community, we've got the support around us and I couldn't ask for anything more." More than 3500 damage assessments have been completed, resulting in 400 homes deemed uninhabitable around Taree, Wingham and Glenthorne. The figure is expected to rise sharply as damage to an estimated 10,000 properties across the Hunter and mid-north coast regions of NSW is evaluated. Those who have lost income in the four worst-affected areas can apply via myGov for support equivalent to JobSeeker for up to 13 weeks. Primary producers are eligible for freight subsidies to help transport livestock and fodder. It is part of joint federal-state natural disaster recovery arrangements activated for 19 local government areas, including small loans for business. Despite floodwaters receding, rescuers face challenging conditions. In one case, they had to paddle two hours to reach two people and their working dogs who has been stranded for three days on a remote farm near Kempsey. The crew ripped down a bamboo fence and crafted a makeshift raft to tow them to safety, with the spotlight from a drone guiding them as night fell, Fire and Rescue NSW said. Heavy-lifting drones have been used to drop hay to isolated farms and for aerial welfare checks at properties. Using bulk water carriers, firefighters have been moving 250,000 litres an hour from Kempsey's town centre back into the Macleay River. Insurers have received more than 3500 claims so far, 80 per cent of which are personal property claims. Flood-affected residents are being asked to be patient and await advice from the SES before returning to their properties. The state government is opening five recovery centres in flood-impacted areas from Tuesday, offering a range of support services to affected residents. But communities could face a new weather threat in coming days. A cold front with strong winds of 60 to 80km/h due on Monday and Tuesday could hamper recovery efforts, cause damage and bring down trees, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned.
The Advertiser
26-05-2025
- Climate
- The Advertiser
Bamboo fence saves family, troops roll into flood zone
More than 300 properties have been destroyed by "catastrophic" flooding, as 70 Defence personnel prepare to join the tentative recovery efforts. An estimated 10,000 properties were hit by floods in the Hunter and mid-north coast regions of NSW after a month's worth of rain fell in a matter of days. About 12,000 residents across multiple towns were still stranded as of early Monday, and crews have carried out more than 770 rescues amid the flood crisis that has led to five deaths. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said 70 Australian Defence Force personnel will be dispatched from Tuesday to engulfed areas to aid recovery and clean-up efforts. "The presence of ADF personnel on the ground brings enormous confidence to communities that are really doing it tough," he told reporters on Monday. "It's a sign of how seriously we, as a nation, are taking what is a catastrophic event." Another 100 people, mostly veterans, from the non-government group Disaster Relief Australia are also set to bolster work on the ground. From Monday afternoon, those who have lost income will be able to apply via myGov for support equivalent to JobSeeker. Primary producers are also eligible for freight subsidies to help transport livestock and fodder. "I said during the election period once or twice, no one left behind," Mr Albanese emphasised. "This is what it looks like: Australians looking after each other, particularly the most vulnerable, at what is a really difficult period." Despite floodwaters receding, rescuers still face challenging conditions. In one case, they had to paddle two hours to reach two people and their working dogs on a remote farm near Kempsey. The crew ripped down a bamboo fence and crafted a makeshift raft to tow the family to safety, with the spotlight from a drone guiding them as night fell, Fire and Rescue NSW said. The people and dogs had been stranded for three days. Heavy-lifting drones have been used to drop hay from the air to isolated farms and conduct aerial welfare checks at properties. Using bulk water carriers, firefighters have also been moving 250,000 litres an hour from Kempsey's town centre back into the Macleay River. Insurers have received more than 3500 claims so far, 80 per cent of which are personal property claims. Some 60 schools will remain closed on Monday across the impacted regions, as well as 173 early childhood education and care services and seven TAFE NSW campuses. To the south at Port Macquarie, Mayor Adam Roberts said there was "quiet and cautious optimism" as rain cleared and waters receded, although it was hard to tell how many homes and businesses had been impacted. "We will rebuild as quickly as possible and there is a sense of pride that we do come together in times of need as a community," he told AAP. Flood-affected residents are being asked to be patient and await advice from the SES before returning to their properties, with 3000 assessments conducted showing more than 300 homes have been deemed uninhabitable. The NSW government will open recovery centres in flood-impacted areas from Tuesday, offering a range of support services to affected residents. Meanwhile, communities could face a new weather threat in the coming days. A cold front with strong winds of 60 to 80km/h due on Monday and Tuesday could hamper recovery efforts, cause damage and bring down trees, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned. More than 300 properties have been destroyed by "catastrophic" flooding, as 70 Defence personnel prepare to join the tentative recovery efforts. An estimated 10,000 properties were hit by floods in the Hunter and mid-north coast regions of NSW after a month's worth of rain fell in a matter of days. About 12,000 residents across multiple towns were still stranded as of early Monday, and crews have carried out more than 770 rescues amid the flood crisis that has led to five deaths. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said 70 Australian Defence Force personnel will be dispatched from Tuesday to engulfed areas to aid recovery and clean-up efforts. "The presence of ADF personnel on the ground brings enormous confidence to communities that are really doing it tough," he told reporters on Monday. "It's a sign of how seriously we, as a nation, are taking what is a catastrophic event." Another 100 people, mostly veterans, from the non-government group Disaster Relief Australia are also set to bolster work on the ground. From Monday afternoon, those who have lost income will be able to apply via myGov for support equivalent to JobSeeker. Primary producers are also eligible for freight subsidies to help transport livestock and fodder. "I said during the election period once or twice, no one left behind," Mr Albanese emphasised. "This is what it looks like: Australians looking after each other, particularly the most vulnerable, at what is a really difficult period." Despite floodwaters receding, rescuers still face challenging conditions. In one case, they had to paddle two hours to reach two people and their working dogs on a remote farm near Kempsey. The crew ripped down a bamboo fence and crafted a makeshift raft to tow the family to safety, with the spotlight from a drone guiding them as night fell, Fire and Rescue NSW said. The people and dogs had been stranded for three days. Heavy-lifting drones have been used to drop hay from the air to isolated farms and conduct aerial welfare checks at properties. Using bulk water carriers, firefighters have also been moving 250,000 litres an hour from Kempsey's town centre back into the Macleay River. Insurers have received more than 3500 claims so far, 80 per cent of which are personal property claims. Some 60 schools will remain closed on Monday across the impacted regions, as well as 173 early childhood education and care services and seven TAFE NSW campuses. To the south at Port Macquarie, Mayor Adam Roberts said there was "quiet and cautious optimism" as rain cleared and waters receded, although it was hard to tell how many homes and businesses had been impacted. "We will rebuild as quickly as possible and there is a sense of pride that we do come together in times of need as a community," he told AAP. Flood-affected residents are being asked to be patient and await advice from the SES before returning to their properties, with 3000 assessments conducted showing more than 300 homes have been deemed uninhabitable. The NSW government will open recovery centres in flood-impacted areas from Tuesday, offering a range of support services to affected residents. Meanwhile, communities could face a new weather threat in the coming days. A cold front with strong winds of 60 to 80km/h due on Monday and Tuesday could hamper recovery efforts, cause damage and bring down trees, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned. More than 300 properties have been destroyed by "catastrophic" flooding, as 70 Defence personnel prepare to join the tentative recovery efforts. An estimated 10,000 properties were hit by floods in the Hunter and mid-north coast regions of NSW after a month's worth of rain fell in a matter of days. About 12,000 residents across multiple towns were still stranded as of early Monday, and crews have carried out more than 770 rescues amid the flood crisis that has led to five deaths. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said 70 Australian Defence Force personnel will be dispatched from Tuesday to engulfed areas to aid recovery and clean-up efforts. "The presence of ADF personnel on the ground brings enormous confidence to communities that are really doing it tough," he told reporters on Monday. "It's a sign of how seriously we, as a nation, are taking what is a catastrophic event." Another 100 people, mostly veterans, from the non-government group Disaster Relief Australia are also set to bolster work on the ground. From Monday afternoon, those who have lost income will be able to apply via myGov for support equivalent to JobSeeker. Primary producers are also eligible for freight subsidies to help transport livestock and fodder. "I said during the election period once or twice, no one left behind," Mr Albanese emphasised. "This is what it looks like: Australians looking after each other, particularly the most vulnerable, at what is a really difficult period." Despite floodwaters receding, rescuers still face challenging conditions. In one case, they had to paddle two hours to reach two people and their working dogs on a remote farm near Kempsey. The crew ripped down a bamboo fence and crafted a makeshift raft to tow the family to safety, with the spotlight from a drone guiding them as night fell, Fire and Rescue NSW said. The people and dogs had been stranded for three days. Heavy-lifting drones have been used to drop hay from the air to isolated farms and conduct aerial welfare checks at properties. Using bulk water carriers, firefighters have also been moving 250,000 litres an hour from Kempsey's town centre back into the Macleay River. Insurers have received more than 3500 claims so far, 80 per cent of which are personal property claims. Some 60 schools will remain closed on Monday across the impacted regions, as well as 173 early childhood education and care services and seven TAFE NSW campuses. To the south at Port Macquarie, Mayor Adam Roberts said there was "quiet and cautious optimism" as rain cleared and waters receded, although it was hard to tell how many homes and businesses had been impacted. "We will rebuild as quickly as possible and there is a sense of pride that we do come together in times of need as a community," he told AAP. Flood-affected residents are being asked to be patient and await advice from the SES before returning to their properties, with 3000 assessments conducted showing more than 300 homes have been deemed uninhabitable. The NSW government will open recovery centres in flood-impacted areas from Tuesday, offering a range of support services to affected residents. Meanwhile, communities could face a new weather threat in the coming days. A cold front with strong winds of 60 to 80km/h due on Monday and Tuesday could hamper recovery efforts, cause damage and bring down trees, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned. More than 300 properties have been destroyed by "catastrophic" flooding, as 70 Defence personnel prepare to join the tentative recovery efforts. An estimated 10,000 properties were hit by floods in the Hunter and mid-north coast regions of NSW after a month's worth of rain fell in a matter of days. About 12,000 residents across multiple towns were still stranded as of early Monday, and crews have carried out more than 770 rescues amid the flood crisis that has led to five deaths. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said 70 Australian Defence Force personnel will be dispatched from Tuesday to engulfed areas to aid recovery and clean-up efforts. "The presence of ADF personnel on the ground brings enormous confidence to communities that are really doing it tough," he told reporters on Monday. "It's a sign of how seriously we, as a nation, are taking what is a catastrophic event." Another 100 people, mostly veterans, from the non-government group Disaster Relief Australia are also set to bolster work on the ground. From Monday afternoon, those who have lost income will be able to apply via myGov for support equivalent to JobSeeker. Primary producers are also eligible for freight subsidies to help transport livestock and fodder. "I said during the election period once or twice, no one left behind," Mr Albanese emphasised. "This is what it looks like: Australians looking after each other, particularly the most vulnerable, at what is a really difficult period." Despite floodwaters receding, rescuers still face challenging conditions. In one case, they had to paddle two hours to reach two people and their working dogs on a remote farm near Kempsey. The crew ripped down a bamboo fence and crafted a makeshift raft to tow the family to safety, with the spotlight from a drone guiding them as night fell, Fire and Rescue NSW said. The people and dogs had been stranded for three days. Heavy-lifting drones have been used to drop hay from the air to isolated farms and conduct aerial welfare checks at properties. Using bulk water carriers, firefighters have also been moving 250,000 litres an hour from Kempsey's town centre back into the Macleay River. Insurers have received more than 3500 claims so far, 80 per cent of which are personal property claims. Some 60 schools will remain closed on Monday across the impacted regions, as well as 173 early childhood education and care services and seven TAFE NSW campuses. To the south at Port Macquarie, Mayor Adam Roberts said there was "quiet and cautious optimism" as rain cleared and waters receded, although it was hard to tell how many homes and businesses had been impacted. "We will rebuild as quickly as possible and there is a sense of pride that we do come together in times of need as a community," he told AAP. Flood-affected residents are being asked to be patient and await advice from the SES before returning to their properties, with 3000 assessments conducted showing more than 300 homes have been deemed uninhabitable. The NSW government will open recovery centres in flood-impacted areas from Tuesday, offering a range of support services to affected residents. Meanwhile, communities could face a new weather threat in the coming days. A cold front with strong winds of 60 to 80km/h due on Monday and Tuesday could hamper recovery efforts, cause damage and bring down trees, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned.
Otago Daily Times
25-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Benefit sanctions ‘creating barriers' for the vulnerable
Photo: file New sanctions for people on benefits could create barriers for some of Dunedin's most vulnerable, a community ministries manager has said. From today, beneficiaries failing to meet agreed obligations could be sanctioned under new measures intended to encourage people off welfare and into work. Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston said the sanctions could apply to a "first obligation failure while getting a main benefit", such as Jobseeker Support. From today, people who fail to meet obligations may have half their main benefit put on a payment card for four weeks — "a sensible move", Ms Upston said. "The card can only be used at approved shops for groceries, transport, health and education-related items [and] people will continue to get the remainder of their main benefit, as well as any supplementary assistance, directly into their bank accounts." However, Salvation Army Dunedin community ministries manager Captain Logan Bathurst said the changes were "creating barriers" for people. "So in Dunedin, for example, we've had people whose payment cards haven't been set up properly," he said. "And so if that's what the money's going into and it's not set up well, then that's going to cause them further problems." Having a benefit divided between payment cards and bank accounts would be "just something else that [beneficiaries] have to manage", Capt Bathurst said. "If you're talking about someone who's just been made redundant and is on JobSeeker for six months, they can probably manage it. "But I think if you're dealing with vulnerable people that are struggling to manage the benefit, sanctioning them further is just going to make things worse for them." Ms Upston also announced people who fail to meet work obligations may have to find and participate in at least five hours of community work experience per week for four weeks. From today, it was also mandatory for some people, and their partners, to have a completed Jobseeker Profile before their benefit can be granted and an obligation failure will now count against a person for two years, instead of one. "The new sanctions will ensure accountability in the welfare system for people who don't meet their obligations, while also recognising that reducing benefits isn't the answer for everyone," she said.
