Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Hansard source

Supporting these communities in North Queensland is, and will remain, a priority for the Albanese government. Over the coming days, as local governments commence their damage assessments, we'll get a clearer understanding of the full extent of the damage caused by this event. Already, we've activated personal hardship payments for communities on Palm Island and in Hinchinbrook, the Cassowary Coast, Burdekin and designated areas of Townsville and Gordonvale. These support measures include $180 grants for individuals and up to $900 for a family of five or more to cover the costs of emergency essentials like food, clothing and medicine. We're also supporting a number of local councils in their clean-up, recovery and response efforts.

We know families have been impacted by this disaster, and we have declared a period of emergency for childcare services in North Queensland. In the Burdekin, Cairns, Palm Island and Townsville regions, extra support is available, including gap-fee waivers and additional absences, so families won't have to use their annual allocation of allowable absences. We'll continue to work with the Queensland government to provide support. (Time expired)