Indi MP Helen Haines tells Parliament about Falls Creek business operators and their plight after the 2022 landslip that closed road leading to the town.
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00:00My question is to the Minister for Government Services. In my electorate, the same record
00:07rainfall that has caused widespread flooding has also caused a massive landslide, which
00:12has cut off access to Falls Creek for at least five months, decimating the summer season
00:17economy. But those affected look at the Services Australia website and only see financial assistance
00:23for people directly affected by floods. Can the Minister confirm that these people are
00:28eligible for the disaster recovery allowance, and are there plans for further support?
00:34I give the call to the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme and Minister
00:37for Government Services.
00:40I thank the member for her question. As all members here know, many local government areas
00:50right across Australia have been affected by incredibly damaging natural disaster events.
00:56Falls Creek in the Alpine Shower in the north-east of Victoria is one of 153 communities that
01:01are currently eligible for disaster assistance. There has been a landslide on the way to Falls
01:08Creek, and it has affected the businesses. Falls Creek, while it is a year-round tourist
01:13facility—most of its season is in the winter—there are businesses that still seek to operate
01:19all year round.
01:21Members of Falls Creek are eligible to apply for disaster recovery allowance and Victorian
01:28and Commonwealth-funded disaster recovery funding arrangements. Services Australia has
01:35investigated for me today, in the course of the day, about Falls Creek and whether or
01:40not there were payments that people were eligible for that haven't been made. As I understand,
01:45there have been 46 claims made for disaster relief allowance. They have all been paid.
01:50There is one claim where the status is indeterminate, but 46 out of 47 have been made. In terms
01:57of the businesses affected year-round, that doesn't fall within the immediate preserve
02:01of Services Australia. I will certainly raise it with the Victorian government. As far as
02:07my ministerial obligations are, everyone who has put in a claim has actually had it processed.
02:14If there are other people who the member is aware of who haven't, we will of course attend
02:18to it straight away. I just want to thank Services Australia staff. They have been working
02:24all around Australia, right through central New South Wales to Rochester and Victoria,
02:29and they are doing a great job. I send them our best wishes from the parliament for helping
02:32people affected.