❓ Mr. Catania questions the adequacy of financial support for businesses affected by Cyclone Seroja. The Minister defends the government's response, citing significant financial aid and ongoing engagement with affected communities.
AnsweredQoN 267Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CYCLONE SEROJA — BUSINESSES — FINANCIAL
SUPPORT
267. Mr V.A. CATANIA to the Minister for Emergency Services:
I refer to the many struggling
businesses in Kalbarri and the midwest that are on the brink of financial ruin,
and the comments made by the state recovery controller, Melissa Pexton, who
stated —
''I think with the scope and
scale of the emergency, we are talking about 13 local government areas that
have been impacted, we are going to see a significant time frame for this level
of recovery �
(1) Does the
minister consider grants of $4 000 to be an adequate response for businesses
facing years of financial ruin?
(2) Will the
minister listen to the concerns and meet with business owners so that he can
better understand the financial support that businesses need in Kalbarri and
the midwest?
SUPPORT
267. Mr V.A. CATANIA to the Minister for Emergency Services:
I refer to the many struggling
businesses in Kalbarri and the midwest that are on the brink of financial ruin,
and the comments made by the state recovery controller, Melissa Pexton, who
stated —
''I think with the scope and
scale of the emergency, we are talking about 13 local government areas that
have been impacted, we are going to see a significant time frame for this level
of recovery �
(1) Does the
minister consider grants of $4 000 to be an adequate response for businesses
facing years of financial ruin?
(2) Will the
minister listen to the concerns and meet with business owners so that he can
better understand the financial support that businesses need in Kalbarri and
the midwest?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I
thank the member for the question. I do not stop meeting with people in the
midwest. I have been there six times. My
colleagues have been there scores of times. I do not know how there could be
more engagement . To correct the member, it is actually 16 local shires—local
governments—that have been impacted by this disaster, not 13.
The
member asked about support for local businesses. There is, and there has been
since the very beginning of this
terrible disaster, enormous support for the community right across the midwest.
There has been more than $10 million in state government support alone to date
and I am not counting federal government support and I am not counting,
yet, the support that we are about to unlock with our federal colleagues in the
form of disaster recovery funding arrangements with the commonwealth. I would
rather see an approach from members opposite who represent these areas to be
engaged with the communities themselves and to be genuine in their approach to
helping these communities that need help.
This
government's response has been swift, efficient and very considerable.
That will be the way in which we
continue to operate in dealing with this major emergency. But it is true—the
state recovery controller was right—that this was a major storm event
and one of the worst cyclones that we have had in Western Australian history
over many decades. It impacted a large swathe of our state and it impacted many
scores of communities. Unique and tailored responses are needed right across
the community. We are getting on with the job of getting a response together, providing support, and
providing joint financial support with the commonwealth.
I
can also tell the member that the response is not over; it will take years. The
member is dead right that it will take years. This was a significant event. The
support is there; it is continuing every day. I was in Northampton on
Saturday at a community event at which the community came together and worked
together. I was there with the member for Geraldton and the upper house member
for the region Hon Sandra Carr, and even Hon Murray Criddle was there. We were very
much engaged in the community and speaking to leaders of the community,
including businesses, and we will continue do so.
thank the member for the question. I do not stop meeting with people in the
midwest. I have been there six times. My
colleagues have been there scores of times. I do not know how there could be
more engagement . To correct the member, it is actually 16 local shires—local
governments—that have been impacted by this disaster, not 13.
The
member asked about support for local businesses. There is, and there has been
since the very beginning of this
terrible disaster, enormous support for the community right across the midwest.
There has been more than $10 million in state government support alone to date
and I am not counting federal government support and I am not counting,
yet, the support that we are about to unlock with our federal colleagues in the
form of disaster recovery funding arrangements with the commonwealth. I would
rather see an approach from members opposite who represent these areas to be
engaged with the communities themselves and to be genuine in their approach to
helping these communities that need help.
This
government's response has been swift, efficient and very considerable.
That will be the way in which we
continue to operate in dealing with this major emergency. But it is true—the
state recovery controller was right—that this was a major storm event
and one of the worst cyclones that we have had in Western Australian history
over many decades. It impacted a large swathe of our state and it impacted many
scores of communities. Unique and tailored responses are needed right across
the community. We are getting on with the job of getting a response together, providing support, and
providing joint financial support with the commonwealth.
I
can also tell the member that the response is not over; it will take years. The
member is dead right that it will take years. This was a significant event. The
support is there; it is continuing every day. I was in Northampton on
Saturday at a community event at which the community came together and worked
together. I was there with the member for Geraldton and the upper house member
for the region Hon Sandra Carr, and even Hon Murray Criddle was there. We were very
much engaged in the community and speaking to leaders of the community,
including businesses, and we will continue do so.
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