Australians affected by floods in Brisbane and north-eastern NSW can claim a $1,000 one-off payment from Centrelink.
Scott Morrison on Sunday unveiled a Disaster Recovery Payment – which goes straight to bank accounts – of $1,000 per adult and $400 per child.
It was initially only available for the local government areas of Gympie and North Burnett but on Monday he extended the payment to allow more people across south-east Queensland and northern NSW to access the cash.
A man wades through flood waters in suburban Brisbane. Heavy rain is bringing record flooding to some east coast areas and claimed seven lives while the flooding in Brisbane, a population of 2.6 million, and its surrounds is the worst since 2011
Flooding in Gympie, 170 kilometres north of Brisbane on Sunday. Affected residents can claims payments of $1,000
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner look at a map during a media conference about the current flooding situation
Thousands have been affected by the worst flooding since 2011, which has killed seven people.
People who have suffered a significant loss, including a severely damaged or destroyed home or serious injury can claim the one-off payment.
Some 2,145 homes and 2,356 businesses were expected fully submerged by a 4m flood peak on Monday morning’s high tide.
Areas eligible for the payment are Brisbane City, Fraser Coast, Gold Coast, Gympie, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Moreton Bay, Noosa, North Burnett, Redland city, Scenic Rim, Somerset, South Burnett, Southern Downs, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba and Lismore.
Meanwhile, Peter Dutton has been ridiculed online after setting up a GoFundMe for Queensland flood victims.
Mr Dutton, who represents Dickson in north-west Brisbane, set up the page on Sunday as the city faced its worst flood crisis in a decade with 140 suburbs on alert.
Mr Dutton shared his fundraiser on Twitter, writing: ‘The water hasn’t gone down yet, and we haven’t seen the full extent of the damage to our community due to catastrophic flooding.
‘We have started a fundraiser to help local residents and businesses who have been affected.’
Shadow assistant environment minister Josh Wilson blasted Mr Dutton and suggested the Government should be funding the rescue and recovery efforts.
A man is seen wading through flood waters in the suburb of Rosalie in Brisbane on Monday
Residents and Pets get rescued by Lismore locals and SES crew just outside the town centre
Two men are seen paddling a kayak through flood waters covering Nash Street in the suburb of Rosalie in Brisbane on Monday
Milton resident Jillian Handyside is seen at her flooded house in Brisbane on Monday
Twitter users also pounced on the post. One wrote: ‘This is taking abrogation of responsibility to a whole new level’
‘Tell me you have no idea what a competent government does without telling me you have no idea what a competent government does,’ he wrote.
Twitter users also pounced on the post. One wrote: ‘This is taking abrogation of responsibility to a whole new level.’
Another added: ‘You’re literally in government, your mate Josh Frydenberg manages the nations coffers – YOU fund the rescue, repair and recovery operation. That’s your job!’
A third person wrote: ‘What the actual f****** f*** is this country? You. Have. Money. Our money. Use it.’
Total taxation revenue collected in Australia in 2019-20 was $552.0 billion.
Scott Morrison, who is in Brisbane meeting emergency service personnel on Monday, backed the fundraiser – which has so far received more than $21,000 of its $25,000 goal.
‘That sounds to me like someone doing their job,’ Mr Morrison said on Sunday evening.
‘As a local member of parliament, you always look to try and harness community support for responding to major disasters, that’s what our job is – to work with our communities when they’re in times of stress and times of need.’
People carrying sand bags are seen wadding through flood waters on Nash Street in the suburb of Rosalie in Brisbane
Several Twitter users blasted Mr Dutton after he set up the fundraiser on Sunday
A man is seen paddling a kayak through flood waters covering Torwood Street in the suburb of Milton in Brisbane
Mr Dutton donated $2,500 of his own money.
He wrote on the page: ‘We are raising money from all across the country to support residents and business owners in Pine Rivers whose lives and livelihoods have been affected by the February 2022 floods.
‘Your donation will provide immediate assistance in the aftermath of the flood to those most in need.
‘Food and essential supply packages for families who need it. Essential clean up supplies to assist community volunteers. Equipment to help businesses get back up and running. Any other assistance we can provide the community.’
A women holding a small child is seen looking at flood waters in the suburb of Rosalie in Brisbane
