TRANSCRIPT: BUSHFIRE DOORSTOP IN TUMUT, 7 January 2020
E&OE
Subjects: Bushfire relief funding.
JOURNALIST:
So can you speak about an update [indistinct] go tell us.
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
Well look, we’re still not out of the woods by any stretch of the imagination, and Friday and Saturday are going to be very, very worrying days. We’re concerned about hot days, we’re concerned about gusty, windy days. Fact is, the firies, the RFS – Rural Fire Service – have done an amazing job saving thousands of homes. Yes, we’ve lost 20 homes at Tumbarumba. Yes, we’ve lost 20 home at Batlow, and that is very, very unfortunate. And governments of all persuasion, governments at all levels will wrap our arms around and provide the necessary financial support for those people who’ve lost everything. But the fact is, many, many homes have been saved by the efforts of the RFS. Many, many homes have been saved by the efforts of volunteers who’ve gone in at the risk of their own lives. And even though their own homes were potentially at risk, have gone in and save other people’s properties. The Upper Murray fire it’s still going, the fire here in the Snowy Valleys is still going but they have contained them to some extent, to a large extent, thanks to those efforts of those brave volunteers.
JOURNALIST:
And to ask a question about resourcing, any extra resources requested by the guys here at the Dunns Road fire?
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
Not [Indistinct] the first fallout. My idea [Indistinct] to the Snowy Valleys fire. And they’ve been very helpful in providing whatever assistance they could, whatever assistance they were asked, they’ve done. And so that’s tremendous, and of course the Federal Government yesterday announced a new agency, the National Bushfire Recovery Fund, as well, $2 billion. That assistance is rolling out today. Andrew Colvin, who is heading the agency is already working very diligently to make sure that any help that is needed, any financing and funding that is needed, we’re busy getting the assessment in of course from State authorities but we’re getting money out of the door. We have already, $25 million of assistance has already gone out in payments of $1000 per adult, $400 per child. There’s money there available for land holders as well. I would urge and encourage anybody in the Riverina, in the Eden-Monaro, Snowy Valleys, to ring 180-22-66 and make sure you just tell them if you’ve lost your home, make sure you just give your details. The money will get into your bank accounts straight away. There won’t be any questions asked. Fact is, if you’ve lost everything, we’re there to support you.
JOURNALIST:
Just on the money access, we’re hearing that even people in Talbingo are having some issues even with Centrelink getting access to disaster relief. I appreciate it takes a lot of effort to kind of coordinate a recovery like this, but how do you make sure that agencies are up to date, that people are getting the money and everything that they need appropriately?
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
The Prime Minister and I had a meeting this morning with the relevant agencies, with the relevant secretaries of the departments and with the relevant ministers, and we said if somebody presents himself and said that they’ve lost everything, we will provide that money straight away, no questions asked. That money will be provided straight away. And look, fact is we find out later that of course, they weren’t eligible for that money, well we’ll deal with that when that arises. But if people need money, and they need it now, it will be provided now, no questions asked.
JOURNALIST:
And Michael, we we’re hearing a lot of damage to the local plantation industry, a lot of damage to the forestry industry, obviously huge employer here. Is there anything in the works to maybe support that industry over the next [indistinct]?
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
Well look, the damage is still being assessed. But when you lose tens of thousands of hectares of pine plantation, when you lose much of the orchards- apple orchards in and around Batlow, that presents not a problem just for the here and now, but that presents a problem for years to come. How are we going to replace those jobs? Indeed, for some people have lost their homes, they’ve lost everything. They’ve also lost their jobs. And whilst homes can be rebuilt, jobs, when you work in the timber industry or jobs when you work- and indeed even tourism, or indeed even in the apple industry, they’re not easily replaced when that resource is lost. And of course, thanks to the Pratt family, they’ve made a sizable donation. But you look at [indistinct] it’s stock has been just totally wiped away, wiped off, wiped out. I mean, that’s a significant loss. So we have to obviously assess that. I’ve been working very closely with James Hayes and the Member for Eden-Monaro Mike Kelly, who’s been unwell and he certainly sends his thoughts and well-wishes, but unfortunately Mike’s been unwell. And so that’s why not only as Deputy Prime Minister, I also come here representing him. This is above politics. We need to make sure that we get the right assessments, we get the right damage assessments, and we then come in with that agency, with the state authorities and we provide help right here and now.
JOURNALIST:
Thanks, Michael.
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
Thanks guys. Okay.