Attorney-General
Minister for Emergency Management
The Hon Mark Dreyfus QC MP
Minister for Human Services
Senator the Hon Kim Carr
Joint Media Release
Additional assistance now available for Tasmanian bushfire victims
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment has been extended to residents of Central Highlands severely affected by the bushfires that ravaged large parts of Tasmania in January.
Minister for Emergency Management Mark Dreyfus and Minister for Human Services Kim Carr today announced that eligible people in the Local Government Area of Central Highlands can claim payments of $1000 for each adult and $400 for each child.
The Tasmanian people have shown great resilience and community spirit as the recovery process continues and residents rebuild their lives, Mr Dreyfus said.
These payments will provide an additional level of support to help residents get back on their feet as quickly as possible.
Senator Kim Carr encouraged people directly affected by the bushfire in the Central Highlands LGA to access the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment as soon as possible.
Individuals and families in Central Highlands have been put under tremendous strain recovering from the bushfires, Senator Kim Carr said.
Anyone severely affected by the bushfires should access this assistance and other support provided by the Department of Human Services as soon as possible.
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment is also being provided in the Glamorgan-Spring Bay, Sorell, and Tasman LGAs and the District of Ellendale following the bushfires.
This Australian Government assistance is over and above the support already being provided under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements, which is jointly funded with the Tasmanian Government.
Affected residents may also be eligible for personal hardship and distress assistance, including a range of grants administered by the Tasmanian Government.
The easiest way to lodge a claim for the AGDRP is online at www.humanservices.gov.au or by calling the Australian Government Information Line on 180 22 66 from 8am to 5pm local time, Monday to Friday. Completed claim forms can also be lodged in person at a Commonwealth Department of Human Services service centre.
Further information on Australian Government assistance is available online at www.disasterassist.gov.au.
THURSDAY, 7 MARCH 2013
