Additional disaster assistance for Queensland communities

The Hon Michael Keenan MP

Minister for Justice Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Counter Terrorism

The Hon Mark Ryan MP

Queensland Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services

Queensland Minister for Corrective Services

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

Minister for Justice Michael Keenan and Queensland Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services Mark Ryan today announced additional disaster assistance in response to Tropical Cyclone Debbie that has affected eight local government areas.

The assistance is being provided through the jointly-funded Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).

Minister Keenan said the Commonwealth and Queensland governments have moved swiftly to make emergency assistance available under the NDRRA.

“Today’s announcement will extend assistance in Mackay and Whitsunday to provide personal hardship and distress assistance for families and individuals,” Mr Keenan said.

“This will help with emergency needs such as food, clothing and accommodation, essential repairs to damaged homes and the replacement of essential household contents.”

Minister Ryan said financial assistance is also being made available to these local government authorities to restore damaged essential public infrastructure.

“The Australian and Queensland governments will continue to work together to ensure that communities have access to the assistance they need,” Mr Ryan said.

“We are closely monitoring the situation and will make assistance available to other communities as required.”

Information on disaster assistance available for this natural disaster can be found on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at https://www.disasterassist.gov.au/ and the Queensland Government’s Disaster management website at http://www.disaster.qld.gov.au/.

Media contacts:

Danielle McKay 0438 390 273 or Shannen Wilkinson 0476 820 816 (Minister Keenan)

Michelle Connolly 0478 325 738 (Minister Ryan)