Push to expand Personal Hardship Assistance to include all of Townsville hits state roadblock

A push to extend hardship grants across Townsville has been met with a cautious response from the federal government, with the Finance Minister insisting the state must request it.

A push to extend hardship grants across Townsville has been met with a cautious response from the federal government, with the Finance Minister insisting the state must request it.

Currently, only residents in 26 approved suburbs can apply for a $180 Personal Hardship Assistance grant, sparking frustration from flood-affected residents outside those areas who are calling for the scheme to cover the entire Townsville Local Government Area (LGA).

Herbert MP Phillip Thompson has joined the calls, warning that people in need of help risk slipping through the cracks under the current system.

Speaking in Townsville on Wednesday, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said the federal government was ready to step in — but only if the state asks for it.

“Well, I think that’s a matter for the Queensland Government. They are primarily responsible for designating those areas and working with the Commonwealth,” she said.

“We’re very happy to work with the Queensland Government on any requests they make. That has been our approach from day one, and that continues to be.”

So far, the 26 suburbs approved for disaster relief through the scheme include: Alligator Creek, Arcadia, Black River, Blue Hills, Bluewater, Bluewater Park, Cape Cleveland, Clemant, Crystal Creek, Cungulla, Florence Bay, Gumlow, Horseshoe Bay, Lynam, Majors Creek, Mutarnee, Nelly Bay, Nome, Paluma, Picnic Bay, Rollingstone, Saunders Beach, Toolakea, Toomulla, West Point, and Yabulu.

Senator Nita Green stressed that while some residents may not qualify for the personal hardship grants, there are other support options available to residents in the Townsville LGA.

She highlighted the Disaster Recovery Allowance, a short-term income support payment for those who’ve lost income due to the disaster. It’s available for up to 13 weeks and is taxable.

There’s also the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment: A one-off payment of up to $1000 for those severely impacted — such as people who’ve been seriously injured or had their homes completely destroyed.

“These eligibility criteria are the same that were in place under the previous government — we haven’t changed that,” Senator Green said.

“We base it on the claims that the Queensland Government asks us to deliver, and we provide that funding. So that’s an ongoing conversation that we will have.

“I guess the other question is whether insurers are responding quickly to claims, and we have directed the insurers to do that as quickly as possible, to be here on the ground, to be responding to claims. And so far, we haven’t had any issues.”

The Queensland Government has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as Push to expand Personal Hardship Assistance to include all of Townsville hits state roadblock