Anthony’s Albanese’s flood promise: How businesses can get $50k

Anthony Albanese has revealed flooded businesses will be eligible for payments of up to $50,000. Here’s how it will work.

More than $172m in additional emergency support has been promised to people, councils, businesses and farmers affected by the latest flooding disaster in NSW.

Anthony Albanese said the commonwealth would share the costs of the clean-up efforts and a series of new grants with the state government.

The Prime Minister made the announcement standing beside NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet in Sydney on Tuesday.

Mr Albanese said the federal government would split the bill 50-50 with the state government for the immediate clean-up and recovery effort, which is set to cost an estimated $80m.

Anthony Albanese has announced a series of new grants for the NSW flood recovery. Picture: Pool/Getty Images

The commonwealth will also cover half of the primary producer recovery grants program, which offers individual payments of up to $75,000 at a total estimated cost of $55m.

And it will do the same for small businesses and non-profit organisations, with recovery grants of up to $50,000 at a total estimated cost of $27m.

Mr Albanese also announced a $1m recovery grant for each council in the 37 disaster-related declared local government areas to assist with their immediate needs such as urgent repairs.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and Emergency Services Minister Steph Cooke survey flooding by helicopter last Friday. Picture: David Swift/Getty Images

“This support is absolutely necessary in order for people to get through what has been an extremely difficult time,” Mr Albanese said.

“We know that many of these communities have been hit with three flood events after those same communities were hit by the impact of the bushfires in 2019/20.

“So my heart goes out to these communities.”

Eight more local government areas were declared disaster zones on Tuesday, taking the total to 37. Flood victims in these areas are able to apply for emergency financial assistance grants.

Mr Albanese said some 621,700 people affected by these severe floods had received more than $514m in emergency relief payments through the government disaster assistance program.

Mr Albanese said the disaster payments would be audited, but this would occur in retrospect to prevent any delays to the much-needed financial assistance.

Mr Perrottet said it was inevitable that some people would fraudulently register for the government payments, which he said was “disgraceful”.

“And if you do that, we will catch you out,” he said.

“But from a state and commonwealth perspective, it is most important right now that we provide that assistance as quickly as possible to those who need it.

“And, as the Prime Minister has said, significant audits will be in place following this period.”

NSW Treasurer Matt Kean has praised the work of emergency services personnel and volunteers. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

The two leaders lauded the co-operation between their respective levels of government during the latest extreme weather disaster to strike NSW this year.

“We know it’s been a very difficult time,” Mr Perrottet said.

“I think what’s most important is that you have all three levels of government working together to ensure that we get every single person through this challenging time.”

NSW Treasurer Matt Kean flagged the possibility of additional financial support down the track, saying there was much more recovery work to be done.

“We’re at the start of the recovery and our two governments will make the necessary financial commitments to get these communities back on their feet as soon as possible,” he said.

Mr Kean praised the dedication and resilience of the emergency services workers, volunteers and locals in protecting their communities in these extreme weather events.

“(It) has been nothing short of extraordinary. I want to thank them for their amazing efforts,” he said.