Helping hands spread
out for flood-affected

Centrelink staff are being deployed across Queensland to help people affected by floods resulting from ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald.
   Staff, including social workers, will help people from the recovery centre in Bundaberg alongside other government and community organisations.
   Acting Minister for Human Services, Anthony Albanese said Centrelink staff were committed to helping their fellow Australians where it was needed most.
   “The announcement of the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) this week by the Australian Government will be a helping hand for people within the four Local Government Areas of Gladstone, Gympie, Fraser Coast and Bundaberg,” Mr Albanese said.
Centrelink workers aid recovery
   He said the AGDRP provided $1,000 to each eligible adult and $400 to each eligible child who had been impacted by the severe weather and flooding in the declared Local Government Areas.
   “Centrelink staff will be on hand to take applications and process claims for AGDRP on behalf of the Australian Government, to ensure financial assistance is delivered to eligible residents as quickly as possible,” he said.
   “In addition to the recovery centre, the Mobile Service Centre has been diverted to Bundaberg and will be located outside the Centrelink Service Centre – which remains closed due to power supply problems – to assist with claims.
   “Understandably, this is a very difficult time for some people who have been faced with a natural disaster and we urge people to make safety their number one priority.”
   Mr Albanese said it was important that people did not leave their home or evacuation centre to make a claim for financial assistance until the immediate threat had passed and it was safe to do so.
   “Centrelink staff in these flood impacted areas are working around the clock to provide the essential services and payments to people quickly,” he said.
   Mr Albanese said eligible people could also lodge claims online at this PS News link or by calling 180 22 66.
Edition 347, 5 February 2013
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