Australian PM pledges support for flood-hit communities. Image: The Straits Times.
(The Post News)– Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced increased financial aid for east coast regions devastated by flooding, where nearly 800 homes and businesses have been destroyed.
This is Albanese’s second visit to flood-affected areas in New South Wales, where record rainfall has claimed five lives since the crisis began in May.
In Taree, a town in the severely impacted Mid North Coast region, Albanese announced enhanced federal financial support for flood-affected areas at a press conference.
Starting Wednesday, residents in nine areas across the Mid North Coast and Hunter regions will be eligible for the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment. Eligible adults will receive AU$1,000, and eligible children will receive AU$400, to support those severely affected, including those whose homes have been significantly damaged.
Albanese also announced that the Disaster Recovery Allowance will now be available to residents in 19 areas, providing income support for those affected. This allowance offers financial support for up to 13 weeks to individuals who have lost income due to the disaster.
Albanese praised the resilience of affected communities, saying it matched the scale of the devastation caused by the floods. Albanese emphasized that recovery will take time, but Australians are resilient and will get through this together.
The State Emergency Service (SES) started assessing damage to thousands of flood-affected properties on Saturday. By Tuesday, the SES had assessed over 5,300 properties, finding 794 uninhabitable. NSW Police reported the arrest of three men accused of looting in areas affected by the floods.
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