Bushfire recovery costs start at $2 billion but Government assistance can't pay the bills
5 years ago

Bushfire recovery costs start at $2 billion but Government assistance can't pay the bills

ABC  

Since the bushfires struck, Robert Provenzale's life has taken a turn for the worse. Key points: The Federal Government has pledged $2 billion — and more if required — for the creation of the new bushfire recovery agency and payments to those affected The Prime Minister remains committed to delivering a budget surplus in the current financial year The Government had faced criticism for a delayed response to the bushfires He now finds himself in Canberra, away from his partner and two young children in Batemans Bay where he usually works on the local bridge upgrade. The Federal Government announced on Monday it is committing an additional $2 billion over two years to set up a new national bushfire recovery agency. The national bushfire recovery agency will be led by former Australian Federal Police commissioner Andrew Colvin, working closely with the states and territories to rebuild homes and critical infrastructure destroyed in the bushfires. "The $2 billion commitment is an additional cost, an initial commitment, and if further funds are required, further funds will be provided," Mr Morrison said.

Government Recovery Pay Cost Billion Canberra Morrison Mr Morrison Batemans Bay Bushfire  costs  pay  cant  billion  morrison  response  cost  surplus  bills  recovery  support  income  minister  assistance  bushfire  start

History of this topic

Congress moves to keep government afloat, provides $100 billion in disaster aid
3 weeks, 1 day ago

Congress moves to keep government afloat, provides $100 billion in disaster aid

Firstpost  

The measure would prevent a partial government shutdown set to begin after midnight Friday. It would kick final decisions on this budget year’s spending levels to a new Republican-led Congress and President-elect Donald Trump Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., pauses as he enters a closed-door strategy session with fellow Republicans as they work on a final version of …

FEMA head sounds the alarm over disaster funding after double hurricanes
1 month, 2 weeks ago

FEMA head sounds the alarm over disaster funding after double hurricanes

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The money available to help communities hit by disasters has shrunk after back-to-back hurricanes Helene and Milton, and the funding problems might jeopardize the government’s ability to respond to new emergencies in the future, the Federal Emergency Management Agency chief said Wednesday. Deanne Criswell warned during a Senate hearing with other agency heads that FEMA’s disaster relief fund …

Biden wants an extra $4 billion for disaster relief, bringing the total request to $16 billion
1 year, 4 months ago

Biden wants an extra $4 billion for disaster relief, bringing the total request to $16 billion

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The White House will seek an additional $4 billion to address natural disasters as part of its supplemental funding request, bringing the total to $16 billion — a sign that wildfires, flooding and hurricanes that have intensified during a period of climate change are imposing ever higher costs on U.S. taxpayers. The Biden administration had initially requested $12 …

After recent disasters, the White House says FEMA needs more money
1 year, 4 months ago

After recent disasters, the White House says FEMA needs more money

NPR  

After recent disasters, the White House says FEMA needs more money Enlarge this image toggle caption Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images The White House is asking Congress for an additional $4 billion in emergency funding to help cover the costs of recent natural disasters in Hawaii, Florida and other parts of the country. Last month, …

NSW government sought to spend $200m in bushfire funding without opening applications
3 years, 9 months ago

NSW government sought to spend $200m in bushfire funding without opening applications

ABC  

The New South Wales government initially sought to spend almost $200 million on bushfire recovery funding without any open application process and was privately criticised by federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud over delays in opening the scheme up more broadly. Key points: In May 2020, the federal government announced a $448m grant scheme called the Local Economic Recovery Fund after …

Bushfire relief funding is so complex, professional grant writers are being hired to help communities apply
4 years, 1 month ago

Bushfire relief funding is so complex, professional grant writers are being hired to help communities apply

ABC  

Almost a year on from the deadly summer bushfires of 2019-20, some weary communities are having to hire professional grant writers or relying on volunteers to fill out complex grant applications. Key points: The Local Economic Recovery Fund is distributing $448.5 million in partnership between federal, state, territory and local governments Residents in Cobargo, NSW now have support from a …

Trump swiped $44 billion from FEMA as he undermined unemployment negotiations before Hurricane Laura
4 years, 4 months ago

Trump swiped $44 billion from FEMA as he undermined unemployment negotiations before Hurricane Laura

Salon  

Lawmakers are concerned that President Donald Trump's decision to swipe $44 billion from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will leave its disaster fund depleted amid a record-setting hurricane season. Trump issued a memorandum allowing states to use $44 billion from FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund to pay $300 per week in enhanced federal unemployment benefits earlier this month. "The fact that …

Federal disaster recovery funding 'onerous' and provides no incentive to mitigate or insure, bushfire royal commission hears
4 years, 6 months ago

Federal disaster recovery funding 'onerous' and provides no incentive to mitigate or insure, bushfire royal commission hears

ABC  

The federal disaster recovery fund has been heavily criticised at the bushfire royal commission hearings today for being "too cumbersome" states to access. Key points: A Tasmanian recovery advisor says a more streamlined funding process is needed The program does not incentivise people to undertake mitigation or insure themselves Funding can't be used for environmental recovery work after a major …

Government's $50m fund to mitigate bushfires, natural disasters, untouched at end of financial year
4 years, 6 months ago

Government's $50m fund to mitigate bushfires, natural disasters, untouched at end of financial year

ABC  

An annual fund worth $50 million, to be used to lessen the impact of natural disasters, remains untouched by the Federal Government on the last day of the financial year. Key points: The $50 million natural disaster mitigation fund was set up this year but has not been put to use Labor says it is "negligent" that the money has …

Bushfire donations topped $282 million between three major charities — almost half's still in the bank
4 years, 7 months ago

Bushfire donations topped $282 million between three major charities — almost half's still in the bank

ABC  

Over the fire season, the world watched in horror as parts of Australia burned. Key points: $135 million in raised bushfire funds are yet to be spent by charities Organisations say they need to make the money last for a recovery effort that will take years Some residents are calling for more support to be offered to them People put …

Bushfire royal commission: Face scans used to verify bushfire payments in the wake of Black Summer blazes
4 years, 7 months ago

Bushfire royal commission: Face scans used to verify bushfire payments in the wake of Black Summer blazes

ABC  

Authorities used face-scanning technology to verify people's identities as they tried to speed up payments to those whose documents were destroyed when they lost their homes in the 2019/20 bushfires. On Thursday morning Services Australia, the government agency responsible for welfare payments, said one of the initiatives trialled during the bushfire season was scanning technology that matched people's faces with …

‘Why are we still struggling?’ ask Australia bushfire victims
4 years, 7 months ago

‘Why are we still struggling?’ ask Australia bushfire victims

Al Jazeera  

People who lost nearly everything as fires tore through vast tracts of Australia say they are still waiting for help. Among other charities, the Australian Red Cross raised 216 million Australian dollars, the Salvation Army 41 million Australian dollars and the St Vincent de Paul Society 22.9 million Australian dollars. “Typically … for people to really get back to functioning …

Bushfire anger intensifies as NSW Ministers claim charities stockpiling cash meant for victims
4 years, 11 months ago

Bushfire anger intensifies as NSW Ministers claim charities stockpiling cash meant for victims

ABC  

Two more NSW ministers have expressed their frustration at the length of time major charities are taking to distribute millions of dollars in bushfire relief. Key points: Transport Minister Andrew Constance criticised three charities Since then, more senior ministers have piled on The Red Cross says it has an "absolute commitment" to getting money to victims The Red Cross, St …

Bushfire donations likely won't cover repair bill, St Vincent de Paul chief says
4 years, 11 months ago

Bushfire donations likely won't cover repair bill, St Vincent de Paul chief says

ABC  

The more than $250 million donated to charities for bushfire relief in recent weeks is "probably not enough" to repair the damage caused by blazes across the country, the head of a major Australian charity has said. Key points: St Vincent de Paul Society chief executive Jack De Groot said the amount of money given to help those affected had …

Bushfire recovery package to tackle Australian tourism's 'biggest challenge in living memory'
4 years, 11 months ago

Bushfire recovery package to tackle Australian tourism's 'biggest challenge in living memory'

ABC  

The Federal Government has announced a $76 million recovery package in response to this summer's bushfires, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison saying Australian tourism is facing "its biggest challenge in living memory". Key points: The recovery package includes funding to attract domestic and international visitors While money has also been allocated for grants for "new attractions" in bushfire affected regions …

Bushfire financial aid 'a slap in the face' as family receives $1,280 after their Wytaliba home burned down
4 years, 11 months ago

Bushfire financial aid 'a slap in the face' as family receives $1,280 after their Wytaliba home burned down

ABC  

A bushfire wiped out Al Bacon's town and left him with serious burns two months ago, but he says it may as well have happened yesterday. Mr Bacon, who was uninsured, lost everything except some baby photos and clothes, and said he was "disgusted" by the small amount of relief funds the family had received. He said they were not …

Bushfire farm grants of $75,000 'a start' but won't go far in 'mammoth task' to rebuild amid fodder shortage
4 years, 11 months ago

Bushfire farm grants of $75,000 'a start' but won't go far in 'mammoth task' to rebuild amid fodder shortage

ABC  

Ten weeks ago, David and Carolyn Duff lost 30 years worth of infrastructure in a bushfire at their Toorooka property west of Kempsey on the NSW Mid North Coast. Key points: Some farmers are spending $12,000 a week on fodder to keep their animals alive They are concerned the $75,000 bushfire grant, while appreciated, will not be enough Farmers were …

Farmers to gain access to $75,000 grants to help with bushfire recovery
4 years, 11 months ago

Farmers to gain access to $75,000 grants to help with bushfire recovery

ABC  

Grants of up to $75,000 will be made available to farmers in bushfire-affected areas, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced. Mr Morrison said the category D assistance, which was made available to graziers in far north Queensland following last year's floods, will be available for those in bushfire-affected regions. Mr Morrison said $100 million would be committed from the $2 …

Bushfire support from Federal Government with $76 million for mental health services for victims
4 years, 11 months ago

Bushfire support from Federal Government with $76 million for mental health services for victims

ABC  

Communities devastated by this summer's record-breaking fire season will have immediate access to increased mental health services. Key points: $10.5 million will be spent on providing the affected with 10 free counselling sessions Medicare rebates will also be available for up to 10 psychological therapy sessions $3.2 million will go towards deploying bushfire mental health response coordinators The Federal Government …

Australian bushfire donations from big business worth millions but charities warn long-term assistance needed
4 years, 11 months ago

Australian bushfire donations from big business worth millions but charities warn long-term assistance needed

ABC  

Many of Australia's biggest companies and local celebrities are coughing up tens of millions of dollars to provide assistance for volunteer firefighters, emergency services personnel and fire victims. Key points: Acting CEO of the Australian Red Cross warns recovery can take years and funding support is required for the long term Warning follows several public announcements by corporate donors in …

NSW Government reveals $1b fire fund as RFS confirms 2,600 homes damaged or destroyed
5 years ago

NSW Government reveals $1b fire fund as RFS confirms 2,600 homes damaged or destroyed

ABC  

The NSW Government has committed $1 billion to help rebuild bushfire-ravaged communities, as authorities confirmed blazes have destroyed 1,870 homes around the state this season. Key points: The money is on top of $200 million already committed by the NSW Government It will be spent on infrastructure The NSW Treasurer said he wanted fire-impacted communities to "thrive" NSW Premier Gladys …

Australia bushfire crisis: PM Morrison announces $2 billion for relief support
5 years ago

Australia bushfire crisis: PM Morrison announces $2 billion for relief support

The Hindu  

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday announced an additional 2 billion dollars over two years to a new agency to coordinate a national response to rebuild communities and livelihoods following the deadly bushfire crisis. “It’s a long road ahead and we will be with these communities every step of the way as they rebuild,” Morrison, who is facing widespread …

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