Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Emergency Management) Share this | Hansard source

Many Queenslanders have experienced a very difficult week, and they are now facing the daunting task of cleaning up their homes and their communities. Our first priority is people. Senator Gallagher and I have announced that there will be Australian government disaster recovery payments and the disaster recovery allowance for several of the worst-impacted communities. Through jointly funded payments with the Queensland government, we are also activating other measures, including personal hardship assistance payments, and thousands of Queenslanders have already been supported through this hardship support. Many more will continue to access this over the coming days and weeks.

For primary producers, small businesses and not-for-profits, we have activated concessional loans in the hardest-hit local government areas. Local governments are at the coalface of the response. In addition to the local government support for counter-disaster operations, we have established an $8 million community relief fund to support a number of councils. Recovery will take time, and we will be there with Queenslanders.