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Prime Minister unveils financial support package for flood-affected areas

By Daniel Webb

Oct 17, 2022

Helping hand: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a one-off relief payment on Sunday afternoon (Photo: AAP Image/Dean Lewins).

A one-off relief payment will available for those effected by the floods in certain areas, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced.

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Home owners in the local government areas of Campaspe, Greater Shepparton, Maribyrnong, Mitchell and Strathbogie will have access to the one-off, non-means-tested Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment of $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child.

Further information on these payments can be found at my.gov.au or by calling 180 22 66.

Set to be available immediately, these payments are in addition to the Federal Government’s Disaster Recovery Allowance and the state government’s Victorian emergency relief assistance payment, which are available in the 23 local government areas that are impacted.

There have already been over 11,000 Victorians apply for the one-off state assistance payments, with further information available at emergencypayments.dffh.vic.gov.au or 1800 226 226.

Councils will also be in line for a cash injection, with $500,000 set to be provided immediately by the state government to the 24 local government areas that have experienced the most profound flood damage.

Victorian Premier Dan Andrews said the grants were a first step.

“We can be absolutely certain sadly that in places like Shepparton, places like Echuca and others, these waters are going to continue to rise, and more and more homes are going to be flooded,” Mr Andrews said.

“That’s why there are important evacuation efforts going on right now.”

Along with the financial support, 250 beds will be made available for people who have been evacuated from flood-affected communities at the former Commonwealth quarantine facility in Mickleham, while there are now over 100 Australian Defence Force personnel providing assistance across the state.