Further assistance for Queensland communities affected by Tropical Cyclone Debbie

Published Wednesday, 29 March, 2017 at 10:19 PM

Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services and Minister for Corrective Services
The Honourable Mark Ryan

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.

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

“The additional assistance will be extended in Mackay and Whitsunday to include concessional interest rate loans and interest rate subsidies for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations, whose assets have been significantly damaged, or who have suffered a significant loss of income,” Mr Keenan said.

Minister Ryan said financial assistance is also being made available in the form of grants to individuals or non-profit organisations in need, and freight subsidies to primary producers whose assets have been significantly damaged.

“The Australian and Queensland governments will continue to work together to ensure that communities have access to the assistance they need. As the full impacts of this tropical cyclone become evident, we will continue to assess support,” Mr Ryan said.

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)