00:00Whether it's coming from Canberra or just down the road, more help is making its way
00:13to the flood zone.
00:15I came from Canberra to help this community.
00:18A gentleman from the SES of WA came and told us when they gave us a bit of a hand to move
00:24some heavy items and I was in tears.
00:27That help includes the arrival of 70 Defence Force personnel in Taree and an extension
00:34of federal financial support.
00:36We are activating the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment in nine local government
00:43areas.
00:44It's a one off payment of $1,000.
00:46More people will also be eligible for 13 weeks income support and concessional loans to transport
00:52livestock and fodder.
00:54We're milking our cows, Rod has been quite kind enough that it's milked once a day here.
00:58What we know this region also needs is a proper declaration of a natural disaster category
01:02C or D.
01:04That would unlock grant payments for small business and primary producers.
01:08Without that I think the people that I've spoken to are going to feel like they're being
01:12left completely behind.
01:13When we think about the amount of taxes that are taken from insurance premiums, we think
01:17it would be important for governments to invest more in flood defences in this country.
01:22The first of five New South Wales Government Recovery Centres opened in Taree offering services
01:27to people who've lost everything.
01:29We don't have powers, no internet, nothing at all.
01:33Flood water came almost to the roof of this motel near the Manning River at Taree with a
01:39long clean up ahead.
01:40We just try to get everything out and let the council do their jobs and we do our best.
01:48This is the best of community spirit that says a lot about the Australian ethos of who
01:53we are.
01:54A spirit that needs to be matched with concrete support.
01:57Thanks for having us.
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