Published Wednesday, 04 February, 2009 at 09:25 PM
Minister for Emergency Services
The Honourable Neil Roberts
LET EMERGENCY SERVICES DO THEIR JOB: ROBERTS
Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter was seeking to score cheap political points off the flood disaster gripping north and north-west Queensland, Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said this evening.
“The state’s disaster management system is in full swing and Mr Katter needs to let the emergency services do their job by ceasing his political grandstanding,” Mr Roberts said.
“Since the first of the severe weather hit the Gulf region at the beginning of January, Emergency Management Queensland has been working with local disaster management groups across North Queensland to prioritise what assistance is needed, and providing that assistance.
“For example, perishable food items are being flown into Normanton, and then transported to Karumba on a regular basis. Non-perishable items are brought in by fortnightly barge.
“In fact, a plane left Cairns for Normanton today with the first shipments of what will total more than 30 tonnes of essential perishable supplies and fuels being shipped before the end of the week."
Mr Roberts said the welfare of flood-effected communities was the State Government’s top priority.
“Aero-medical EMQ choppers based in Cairns and Townsville are on stand-by to respond to medical emergencies in the region. Contrary to Mr Katter’s claims, the EMQ aero-medical choppers can fly at night," Mr Roberts said.
“Queensland Health has also located a doctor in Karumba’s medical clinic to provide immediate emergency care should it be required.”
Mr Roberts said an officer from the Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry had visited Carpentaria Shire to gain an appreciation of the impacts of flooding on local businesses.
A senior officer from EMQ will also travel to the region this week to start working with businesses and the wider community on recovery plans, he said.
“I remind the Member for Kennedy that state and federally funded Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) are in place for individuals, families and businesses,” he said.
“Personal hardship grants of $165 per person and up to $765 per family may be available for directly impacted residents who have been unable to recover via their own means.
“Means-tested Essential Household Contents Grants are also available. This can be up to $1,635 for an individual applicant or $4,910 for a couple or family.
“Means-tested Repairs and Replacement of Dwellings assistance of up to $10,100 for eligible individuals and up to $13,600 for eligible couples or families may also be available.”
Mr Roberts said the NDRRA had been extended to provide concessional loans to small businesses for carry-on and re-establishment costs to help assist with their recovery.
“My immediate concern is and will continue to be the safety and security of Queenslanders who are being impacted by natural disasters, and Emergency Management Queensland is working closely with local disaster management groups to achieve this goal,” he said.
“Emergency Management Queensland, in partnership with local disaster management groups is, quite frankly, doing a great job and the Member for Kennedy’s political grandstanding is detracting from their commendable efforts.”
Media contact: Scott Chandler on 0488 096 204
“The state’s disaster management system is in full swing and Mr Katter needs to let the emergency services do their job by ceasing his political grandstanding,” Mr Roberts said.
“Since the first of the severe weather hit the Gulf region at the beginning of January, Emergency Management Queensland has been working with local disaster management groups across North Queensland to prioritise what assistance is needed, and providing that assistance.
“For example, perishable food items are being flown into Normanton, and then transported to Karumba on a regular basis. Non-perishable items are brought in by fortnightly barge.
“In fact, a plane left Cairns for Normanton today with the first shipments of what will total more than 30 tonnes of essential perishable supplies and fuels being shipped before the end of the week."
Mr Roberts said the welfare of flood-effected communities was the State Government’s top priority.
“Aero-medical EMQ choppers based in Cairns and Townsville are on stand-by to respond to medical emergencies in the region. Contrary to Mr Katter’s claims, the EMQ aero-medical choppers can fly at night," Mr Roberts said.
“Queensland Health has also located a doctor in Karumba’s medical clinic to provide immediate emergency care should it be required.”
Mr Roberts said an officer from the Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry had visited Carpentaria Shire to gain an appreciation of the impacts of flooding on local businesses.
A senior officer from EMQ will also travel to the region this week to start working with businesses and the wider community on recovery plans, he said.
“I remind the Member for Kennedy that state and federally funded Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) are in place for individuals, families and businesses,” he said.
“Personal hardship grants of $165 per person and up to $765 per family may be available for directly impacted residents who have been unable to recover via their own means.
“Means-tested Essential Household Contents Grants are also available. This can be up to $1,635 for an individual applicant or $4,910 for a couple or family.
“Means-tested Repairs and Replacement of Dwellings assistance of up to $10,100 for eligible individuals and up to $13,600 for eligible couples or families may also be available.”
Mr Roberts said the NDRRA had been extended to provide concessional loans to small businesses for carry-on and re-establishment costs to help assist with their recovery.
“My immediate concern is and will continue to be the safety and security of Queenslanders who are being impacted by natural disasters, and Emergency Management Queensland is working closely with local disaster management groups to achieve this goal,” he said.
“Emergency Management Queensland, in partnership with local disaster management groups is, quite frankly, doing a great job and the Member for Kennedy’s political grandstanding is detracting from their commendable efforts.”
Media contact: Scott Chandler on 0488 096 204