Fed: Extra $800,000 to help bushfire-hit families, businesses

AAP General News (Australia)
12-16-2006
Fed: Extra $800,000 to help bushfire-hit families, businesses

CANBERRA, Dec 16 AAP - The Victorian and federal governments have agreed to provide
an extra $800,000 to help those hit by the current bushfire emergency in the state.

Bushfires in Victoria's Gippsland and north-east have claimed one life, destroyed at
least 15 homes and burnt out thousands of hectares of bushland and forestry.

Prime Minister John Howard said today that he and Victoria's Premier Steve Bracks had
agreed to provide more than $800,000 in additional funding to help families, business
and primary producers recover "from the devastating bushfires."

He said the agreement established a $700,000 community recovery fund with equal contributions
from the state and commonwealth.

This is over and above the support the commonwealth government provides under the enhanced
natural disaster relief arrangements.

Mr Howard said the community recovery fund would be used to address the needs of the
community as they arise and to help the region to recover fully from the fires.

The funding would support grants of up to $15,000 for charities, small business and
primary producers to assist with costs that are not covered by insurance arrangements.

"The commonwealth and Victoria have also agreed to contribute $50,000 each to the Red
Cross Bushfire Appeal to assist families, small business and communities affected by the
bushfires in Victoria," Mr Howard said.

He said the commonwealth and Victorian governments would consider further assistance
for the regions once the full extent of the damage from the current bushfire has been
assessed.

AAP dep/jt

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES HOWARD

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