Post by cenydd on Oct 22, 2013 8:05:29 GMT
Federal Justice Minister Michael Keenan has defended the Commonwealth's assistance for victims of the New South Wales bushfires.
A disaster recovery payment is available for people who are severely injured or if their homes have been destroyed or badly damaged.
However, unlike victims of the Tasmanian bushfires or Tropical Cyclone Oswald, the Government is not offering assistance to those who have been cut off from their homes or who are without electricity or water for 48 hours.
Labor's spokesman for Human Services and Blue Mountains resident Doug Cameron says he is "appalled".
"The Prime Minister should intervene, this is a payment that's been made to people in every other state," Senator Cameron said.
"I've spoken to residents here who have not had access to their house for up to three days they have then lost all of their food.
"They've had to buy their kids new clothes."
Shadow Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus reportedly labelled the Government's actions "heartless".
However, Mr Keenan has defended the Government's approach.
"What we are keen to do is to make sure that the people are most severely in need of assistance get that assistance," he said.
A disaster recovery payment is available for people who are severely injured or if their homes have been destroyed or badly damaged.
However, unlike victims of the Tasmanian bushfires or Tropical Cyclone Oswald, the Government is not offering assistance to those who have been cut off from their homes or who are without electricity or water for 48 hours.
Labor's spokesman for Human Services and Blue Mountains resident Doug Cameron says he is "appalled".
"The Prime Minister should intervene, this is a payment that's been made to people in every other state," Senator Cameron said.
"I've spoken to residents here who have not had access to their house for up to three days they have then lost all of their food.
"They've had to buy their kids new clothes."
Shadow Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus reportedly labelled the Government's actions "heartless".
However, Mr Keenan has defended the Government's approach.
"What we are keen to do is to make sure that the people are most severely in need of assistance get that assistance," he said.
www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-22/government-defends-nsw-bushfire-assistance/5038282
This doesn't seem to me to be the time and place to be trying to cut corners and save costs by refusing help to those in need who would have had such help in previous circumstances elsewhere in the country.
