Thousands more flood-hit northern NSW residents could soon receive an extra $2000 after the Prime Minister suggested more communities could be included in extra support measures.
Residents of flood “catastrophe zones” in Lismore, Richmond Valley and Clarence Valley are now eligilbe for an additional $2000 per adult and $800 per child.
That is in addition to the one-off disaster recovery payment available through Services Australia to all flood victims – $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child.
But residents of Ballina, Byron and Tweed Shires, who had been hard-hit by the same flooding event, said they were “insulted” they hadn’t been included.
Mr Morrison on Thursday said he had spoken to the Ballina mayor and the National Recovery and Resilience Agency was considering whether to broaden the list.
“Just like in any natural disaster, you define a couple of LGAs early on, the most impacted, and as the damage assessments come in, you will add other to that list when you go through the proper process,,” Mr Morrison said from Brisbane.
“That’s what is still occurring, and even now we’re continuing to provide support here in South East Queensland.”
Mr Morrison said residents of flood-impacted parts of South East Queensland and NSW had lodged 400,000 claims through Services Australia, meaning $480 million has “gone into the pockets of Australians who need that emergency financial support right now”.
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce hit back at allegations the government was favouring Coalition-held seats over Labor-held electorates impacted by floods.
“It’s quite evident that we don’t have preference for areas based on how the votes fall. And as I said last night, and I’ll say it again, I think it’s obnoxious that there’s an inference or suggestion that we do work like that,” Mr Joyce said.
“We assess things on the facts, quite obviously Lismore – that’s why the media are there – it’s the epicentre of the whole flood.
“We accept that (there areas have been hit), but that’s the role of the NRAA and the states, they have lead on that.”
Earlier, independent senator Jacqui Lambie says she “doesn’t care” that the Prime Minister had Covid-19 amid deadly and devastating northern NSW floods and questioned why it took so long to declare a national emergency.
Mr Morrison visited Lismore on Wednesday after he was released from isolation and announced a state of emergency – 10 days after Lismore and the surrounding Northern Rivers were hit by the worst flooding on record.
Locals gathered outside the media centre, visibly frustrated by the government they say has let them down, prompting Mr Morrison to “sneak in the back door”.
Senator Lambie said she could sympathise with residents.
“What Tasmanians have been saying to me is we’ve been watching it over the last two weeks, and why has it taken so long to call a national emergency in there?” she told Nine.
“That should have been done two weeks ago, I don’t care if he’s had Covid. The rest of us can see what is going on.
“Look at (those pictures), it brings tears to your eyes. Come on. This should have been done two weeks ago and things should have been moving.
“It’s always really late with Morrison. It is too late. Those payments, get them out. I don’t care who needs them, get those payments out because people are going to need them now.
“Just get the job done.”
