❓ Hon. Martin Aldridge questions the Premier regarding the Kimberley floods special emergency financial assistance program, including its budget, funding source, timing, and debit card restrictions. The response clarifies the program's funding, existing support, and card usage limitations.
AnsweredQoN 217Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
KIMBERLEY FLOODS — SPECIAL EMERGENCY
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
217. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the Leader of the House
representing the Premier:
I
refer to a media statement released on 14 March 2023 titled ''Special
emergency financial assistance for Kimberley residents''.
(1) What is the total budget for
this program?
(2) Is this
program funded through the disaster recovery funding arrangements, or DRFA;
and, if not, can the Premier please identify the funding stream?
(3) Noting that
this funding is, and I quote, ''to provide emergency financial
assistance'', why has it taken 10 weeks since this disaster occurred for
this funding to be announced?
(4) How will the
debit cards be restricted to ensure they are used only to fund the replacement
of items such as clothing, tools, household goods and other personal items, as
per the Premier's media statement?
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
217. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the Leader of the House
representing the Premier:
I
refer to a media statement released on 14 March 2023 titled ''Special
emergency financial assistance for Kimberley residents''.
(1) What is the total budget for
this program?
(2) Is this
program funded through the disaster recovery funding arrangements, or DRFA;
and, if not, can the Premier please identify the funding stream?
(3) Noting that
this funding is, and I quote, ''to provide emergency financial
assistance'', why has it taken 10 weeks since this disaster occurred for
this funding to be announced?
(4) How will the
debit cards be restricted to ensure they are used only to fund the replacement
of items such as clothing, tools, household goods and other personal items, as
per the Premier's media statement?
AnswerView source ↗
I answer the question on behalf of
the Leader of the House representing the Premier. I thank the honourable member
for some notice of the question.
(1) This a demand-driven program and
is expected to cost approximately $750 000.
(2) The program is funded separately
from the disaster recovery funding arrangements.
(3) The premise
of the question is incorrect. Financial assistance has been provided to the
community since the onset of the flood event in January 2023. The payment
referred to by the honourable member is in addition to that prior support.
(4) Successful
grant applicants will be issued with a debit card issued by the Department of
Communities. The debit card can be used only for items such as clothing, tools,
household goods and other personal items. Certain items, including alcohol and
tobacco, are not eligible purchases on the card.
the Leader of the House representing the Premier. I thank the honourable member
for some notice of the question.
(1) This a demand-driven program and
is expected to cost approximately $750 000.
(2) The program is funded separately
from the disaster recovery funding arrangements.
(3) The premise
of the question is incorrect. Financial assistance has been provided to the
community since the onset of the flood event in January 2023. The payment
referred to by the honourable member is in addition to that prior support.
(4) Successful
grant applicants will be issued with a debit card issued by the Department of
Communities. The debit card can be used only for items such as clothing, tools,
household goods and other personal items. Certain items, including alcohol and
tobacco, are not eligible purchases on the card.
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