Prime Minister Julia Gillard has announced further assistance for Queensland, NSW and Western Australian flood victims.
The measures include NewStart payments and assistance for business, primary producers and others who have lost income from their regular source and have been unable to avail themselves of regular social security benefits. An income test applies.
The benefit will be available to flood victims in around 150 local government areas in Queensland, NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.
Gillard also took questions on a range of other matters at her first Canberra press conference for 2011. These included the need for new dams, the GST on overseas retail purchases, the budget deficit and a gift for the wife of the heir to the Danish throne.
- Listen to Gillard’s press conference (22m)
