Federal payments for burnt homes

Member for Robertson Mr Jim Lloyd has announced that ex-gratia payments would be made available to those who lost their homes in the recent bushfires around the Peninsula.

The payments of $1000 to adults and $400 to children would be made available to those who lost their principal place of residence in the fires, Mr Lloyd said.

Applications can be made through Centrelink.

"It is always a difficult task to re-build your life after a disaster such a bushfire and every bit of assistance helps," Mr Lloyd said.

"I am sure this payment will help those who lost everything in the fires make a fresh start to 2006."

Previous NSW State Government announcements of assistance for bushfire victims also included substantial amounts of Australian Government funding under the Natural Disaster Relief Arrangement (NDRA), he said.

Although States were primarily responsible for domestic natural disaster recovery, the Australian Government reimburses the States up to 75 per cent of eligible expenditure they spend on natural disasters.

Anyone wishing to claim this assistance may contact Jim Lloyd's office on 4325 1604.

Press release, January 20 James Larsson, Office of Member for Robertson