Mark Dreyfus (Isaacs, Australian Labor Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Blair for that supplementary question. This government has acted immediately to provide assistance to communities decimated by these floods. As I said a moment ago, we are delivering $1,000 for each eligible adult and $400 for each eligible child. There are special clean-up grants: $25,000 for primary producers, small businesses and not-for-profit organisations. There are concessional interest rate loans of up to a quarter of a million dollars, and freight subsidies so that farmers and small businesses can repair or replace buildings, plant and equipment; buy livestock to replace those that they have lost; pay rent and rates; and restore essential operations on their properties.

These measures and more have been activated across Queensland because this government believes in looking after people when hard times hit, as they so often do in a country like ours where we are vulnerable to the extremes of weather. We are standing shoulder-to-shoulder with state governments across Australia to identify the areas in greatest need so that we can activate financial help and practical help on the ground. Again, as I said before, I would acknowledge the good grace of those opposition members who are working cooperatively with the government to do the right thing for those in need. The damage is extensive and we will continue to work as a priority to help our fellow Australians get the help they need.

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