Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Hansard source

I will try to answer all of the questions that the honourable senator has asked in relation to when there was contact between the Prime Minister and the Premier. That I do not know from the brief that I have before me. But I can inform the Senate that, on Sunday 2 March, the Prime Minister announced that relocation payments will be made available to assist eligible local residents in Morwell's south to temporarily relocate to avoid exposure to smoke and ash from the fires currently burning. Temporary relocation payments of up to $1,250 per week are available to eligible households under the joint funding arrangement. The package is a joint initiative between the Commonwealth and Victorian governments under the natural disaster relief and recovery arrangements. Residents seeking assistance are advised to contact the Department of Human Services on their hotline 1800006468.