Hon Martin Aldridge questions the Minister for Emergency Services regarding the Cyclone Seroja recovery grant program, specifically requesting upfront payments and an extension to the application deadline. The Minister clarifies existing provisions and indicates flexibility.

AnsweredQoN 304Legislative Council
Asked
6 April 2022
Portfolio
Emergency Services

QuestionView source ↗

CYCLONE SEROJA —
RECOVERY GRANTS
304. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the Minister for Emergency
Services:
I refer to the $104.5 million
disaster recovery funding package for cyclone Seroja–impacted
communities and the answer to Legislative
Council question without notice 60 asked on 17 February 2022 in which the
minister stated —
This is a reimbursement grant
program. Final approval cannot occur until the works are completed and an
invoice is provided.
(1) Will the
minister adjust this program to allow a portion of funding to be paid up front
in the same manner as disaster recovery
funding has been distributed to flood-impacted communities in Queensland and
New South Wales?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) Noting that several of these programs are due to
close on 31 March 2023, will the minister extend this date to ensure
that impacted residents do not miss out on important recovery funding should
they be unable to complete the works within the coming 12 months?
(4) If no to (3),
why not?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) The tropical cyclone Seroja primary producer
recovery grants and small business recovery grants already include
provision for the payment of an initial claim of $15 000 consistent with
provisions of the disaster recovery funding arrangements—DOFA—and
the recent announcements in Queensland and New South Wales.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) The date of
31 March 2023 within the recovery and resilience grants program is for the
receipt of applications. It is designed to
ensure an eligibility assessment of applications prior to the applicant
incurring expenditure. This date will be monitored to ensure applicants
are not adversely affected.
(4) Not applicable.

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