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Australia fires live: NSW and Victoria bushfire communities assess damage as PM visits Kangaroo Island – latest updates Australia fires live: NSW and Victoria bushfire communities assess damage as PM visits Kangaroo Island – latest updates
(32 minutes later)
Scott Morrison to tour island where there are grave fears for unique wildlife. NSW and Victorian communities clean up during a brief period of cooler weather. Follow the latest news and live updatesScott Morrison to tour island where there are grave fears for unique wildlife. NSW and Victorian communities clean up during a brief period of cooler weather. Follow the latest news and live updates
QUEENSLAND The group pushing for a royal commission have been asked for more specifics over why they think it is necessary:
Emergency Hardship Assistance Q: You say you need more resources. What specifically do you need?
* Up to $180 (person) and $900 (family). A: Leighton Drury notes the different kinds of technology across different organisations which don’t work together efficiently.
Essential Services Hardship Assistance “In Fire and Rescue NSW we’ve got less professional firefighters now than we did in 2011. We’d certainly like to see that addressed.”
* Up to $150 (person) and $750 (family) Stewart Little: There needs to be funding from state and federal governments to recognise that firefighters… are frontline.
* For those who lost power, gas, water or sewerage. We’ve had budgets cut during many many years… We have to plan, we have to fund, we have to permanently plan.”
Essential Household Contents Grant John Oliver says there isn’t even a national radio protocol. Scale up in a different way, communicate in a different way.
* Up to $1765 (singles) and $5300 (couples and families) “If we can’t get unified comms protocol across the country… what hope have we got on the foreground?”
* For those uninsured or unable to claim. [cont from previous post]
Structural Assistance Max Adlam, State Secretary, United Firefighters’ Union of South Australia:
* Up to $10,995 (singles) and $14,685 (couples and families) Agencies do work together really strongly. The metro fire service has a facility called strike teams ready to send out providing the resources are available. The beginning of this season there were no spare vehicles available.
* For those uninsured or unable to claim. [old vehicles, not fully equipped]
Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Grant They’re not equipped with halo systems. There are concerns.
* Up to $200 for safety inspections Our people work very hard on the smell of what frankly is an oily rag.
* Up to $4200 for repairs Stewart Little, General Secretary, Public Service Association of NSW:
* For those uninsured who pass an income assets test. The PSA and CPSU supports the call for a royal commission.
Disaster Assistance Loans We think that’s the only way we can really cut through and look at three broad areas.
* Up to $250,000 for primary producers for up to 10 years Only a federal royal commission will look at the failure over numerous years to implement past recommendations from past inquests and royal commissions.
* To replace machinery, infrastructure and livestock There’s been a complete failure federally to look at coordinating activity across various jurisdictions.
* Grants also available to small businesses and non-profits. Sure they’re talking about it now but why on earth weren’t we talking about this at the beginning of the fire season?
TASMANIA These are quotes from some of the representatives from firefighter unions calling for a royal commission.It’s worth noting that there has been talk of royal commissions previously, and others pushing back on it because royal commissions don’t solve anything if governments ignore the recommendations.
Emergency Assistance Leighton Drury, State Secretary, Fire Brigade Employees’ Union (NSW):
* Up to $250 (adult), $125 (child) and $1000 (family). We have grave concerns about the resourcing and funding provided to these agencies.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA We’re not equipped to fight these fires as we’d like to.
Personal Hardship Emergency Grants We treat this with the upmost seriousness and it’s time for our government to do the same.
* Up to $280 (adult) and $700 (family). John Oliver, State Secretary, United Firefighters’ Union of Queensland:
Re-establishment Grants We’re calling for a RC into these fires. We need to properly examine the facets of what’s occurred this summer. Why is this season different to the past?
* Up to $10,000 per eligible household Only a RC can give us that. Coroners reports can go someway, but a thorough examination is needed [pre during and post] fires.
* For those uninsured whose primary residence is damaged. [re previous inquiries] We can no longer rely on these reports to provide unbiased reports the decision makers.
Disaster Recovery Funding We need to look at the fires as they are, even if they were put out tomorrow. The next fire season is in nine months time.
* Up to $15,000 for primary producers and $10,000 for small businesses. We need to act quickly, and governments need to act on this very quickly.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA Queensland
Disaster Recovery Funding Emergency hardship assistance
* Payments to replace essential items and repair households. Up to $180 (person) and $900 (family)
Small Businesses Essential services hardship assistance
* Eligible interest payment subsidies capped at $6000 for up to 10 years. Up to $150 (person) and $750 (family)
Primary Producers For those who lost power, gas, water or sewerage
* Also eligible for interest payment subsidies Essential household contents grant
* Up to half of freight costs subsidised Up to $1,765 (singles) and $5,300 (couples and families)
* All fencing reconstruction costs reimbursed For those uninsured or unable to claim
* Up to $1500 for professional advice. Structural assistance
Up to $10,995 (singles) and $14,685 (couples and families
For those uninsured or unable to claim
Essential services safety and reconnection grant
Up to $200 for safety inspections
Up to $4,200 for repairs
For those uninsured who pass an income assets test
Disaster assistance loans
Up to $250,000 for primary producers for up to 10 years
To replace machinery, infrastructure and livestock
Grants also available to small businesses and non-profits
Tasmania
Emergency assistance
Up to $250 (adult), $125 (child) and $1,000 (family).
South Australia
Personal hardship emergency grants
Up to $280 (adult) and $700 (family).
Re-establishment grants
Up to $10,000 per eligible household
For those uninsured whose primary residence is damaged
Disaster recovery funding
Up to $15,000 for primary producers and $10,000 for small businesses
Western Australia
Disaster recovery funding
Payments to replace essential items and repair households
Small businesses
Eligible interest payment subsidies capped at $6,000 for up to 10 years
Primary producers
Also eligible for interest payment subsidies
Up to half of freight costs subsidised
All fencing reconstruction costs reimbursed
Up to $1,500 for professional advice
AAP have put together a handy guide on what financial support is available in each jurisdiction impacted by the fires:AAP have put together a handy guide on what financial support is available in each jurisdiction impacted by the fires:
COMMONWEALTH Commonwealth
* Up to $1000 per adult and $400 per child Up to $1,000 per adult and $400 per child
* For those seriously injured, who lost immediate family, were made homeless or had homes damaged as a direct result of bushfires For those seriously injured, who lost immediate family, were made homeless or had homes damaged as a direct result of bushfires
Disaster Recovery Allowance Disaster recovery allowance
* Up to 13 weeks support for income loss. Up to 13 weeks support for income loss.
VICTORIA Victoria
Emergency Relief Assistance Emergency relief assistance
* Up to $560 (adult), $280 (child) and $1960 (household) Up to $560 (adult), $280 (child) and $1,960 (household)
* For those unable to access homes for up to seven days For those unable to access homes for up to seven days
Emergency Re-establishment Payments Emergency re-establishment payments
* Up to $42,250 per household Up to $42,250 per household
* For uninsured whose homes are uninhabitable for more than seven days. For uninsured whose homes are uninhabitable for more than seven days
NSWNSW
Disaster Relief Grants Disaster relief grants
* Uncapped payments to help replace damaged essentials Uncapped payments to help replace damaged essentials
* For those whose homes and contents have been damaged or destroyed, meet a low income test and have no insurance. For those whose homes and contents have been damaged or destroyed, meet a low income test and have no insurance.
Natural Disaster Recovery Relief Natural disaster recovery relief
* Up $15,000 for primary producers, small businesses, sporting clubs and not-for-profits. Up $15,000 for primary producers, small businesses, sporting clubs and not-for-profits
Scott Morrison has arrived at a fire-affected property in Kangaroo Island, near Stokes Bay in the north of the island.Scott Morrison has arrived at a fire-affected property in Kangaroo Island, near Stokes Bay in the north of the island.
The property belongs to Madelyn and Simon Kelly who are wool farmers. The property belongs to Madelyn and Simon Kelly, who are wool farmers.
He is being joined by the SA premier, Steven Marshall, and SA Senator Anne Ruston, and KI mayor Michael Pengilly. He is being joined by the SA premier, Steven Marshall, the SA senator Anne Ruston and the KI mayor, Michael Pengilly.
Morrison said the conditions on KI and across the country had been “shocking and terrifying”. Morrison said conditions on KI and across the country had been “shocking and terrifying”.
He said he has seen “solidarity” in affected communities and a commitment “We are going to rebuild...and the platform we are going to build upon is you, because you built it in the first place,” he told community members at the property. He said he has seen “solidarity” in affected communities and a commitment. “We are going to rebuild ... and the platform we are going to build upon is you, because you built it in the first place,” he told community members at the property.
Sarah Hanson-Young visited the firezone on Kangaroo Island yesterday.Sarah Hanson-Young visited the firezone on Kangaroo Island yesterday.
She has called for help for the wildlife, as well as the community.She has called for help for the wildlife, as well as the community.
Getting to the Victorian coastal town of Mallacoota has been challenging.Getting to the Victorian coastal town of Mallacoota has been challenging.
There has been a mass evacuation for those who wanted to go, involving the ADF. Now the operation to bring those who remain supplies has begun in earnest There has been a mass evacuation for those who wanted to go, involving the ADF. Now the operation to take supplies to those who remain has begun in earnest.
The prime minister has issued this statement, following the attack on a base housing US troops in Iraq: The prime minister has issued this statement after the attack on a base housing US troops in Iraq:
To give you a better idea of what Kangaroo Island has faced, here is the latest photo gallery.To give you a better idea of what Kangaroo Island has faced, here is the latest photo gallery.
Just a reminder, that these fires have affected one-third of the island – there is still much that has not been impacted. If you have a holiday planned for the area, just check before you head off.Just a reminder, that these fires have affected one-third of the island – there is still much that has not been impacted. If you have a holiday planned for the area, just check before you head off.
From the Kangaroo Island pool copy (given the limited space, one journalist is usually nominated to send out information for all media outlets to use. The same thing happens with the visuals):
Prime Minister Scott Morrison learnt about Iran’s attack on US forces stationed in Iraq while flying to South Australia today to visit bushfire-ravaged Kangaroo Island.
Mr Morrison spoke to the Chief of the Defence Force Angus Campbell, Defence Minister Linda Reynolds and Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne regarding the situation while on the flight.
He also phoned Opposition leader Anthony Albanese.
It’s understood the Prime Minister will continue to receive briefings about the attack throughout the day.
SA Premier Steven Marshall met Mr Morrison on Kangaroo Island this morning, where the two leaders will meet South Australians impacted by the fires today and announce $11 million in joint funding for recovery grants for farmers and small businesses.
Scott Morrison’s press conference should be held just after midday.
And for those who missed Shane Fitzsimmons on the issue of hazard reduction burns this morning:
A Greens member has emailed me to remind you that the Greens are in a coalition agreement with Labor in the ACT:
(Just in relation to an earlier post.)
Scott Morrison is touring Kangaroo Island with the South Australian premier, Steven Marshall, as we speak.
One of the key messages the KI community has been trying to send is to tourists, asking them not to cancel any planned holidays this season.
While a third of the island has been impacted by fires, a lot has not. Kangaroo Island is Australia’s third largest island – after Tasmania and Melville, if memory serves me – so there are still vast areas which have not been impacted and the community needs the support.
Breaking news outside the bushfire crisis: rockets fired at US airbase in Iraq
US security forces have confirmed multiple rockets have been fired at an airbase housing US and coalition troops in Iraq. Some have hit the base – there is no news of any casualties or injuries at this stage.
That follows the US airstrike that killed Qassem Suleimani, the Iranian commander killed at the Baghdad airport on Friday.
And the Commonwealth Bank has also announced its donation details:
The Red Cross has also released more information on the “All In” Australian retailer fundraiser.