logo-Centrelink

Centrelink assistance flows to businesses:

Queensland Media Release
Tuesday, 04 April 2006

Centrelink staff are now focusing on ensuring businesses affected by Cyclone Larry are aware of assistance, with many owners too busy getting themselves back up and running to ask for help.

Centrelink spokesman Ken Wilson said the numbers of people coming in to Recovery Centres to claim ex-gratia assistance are starting to lessen.

“This has given staff the opportunity to door-knock to businesses and make sure they’re aware of assistance, such as grants and excise relief,” Ken said.

“Many business owners are understandably pre-occupied with getting things going again, which is why we’re making the effort to get out to them.

“In many cases, staff are revisiting businesses to collect forms and process claims.

“Centrelink has now paid out in excess of $50 million in emergency assistance to people affected by Cyclone Larry.

“Centrelink’s Tropical Cyclone Larry Relief Hotline continues to run hot with more than 20 000 calls taken as of last night.

“We’ll have staff on the ground in several communities to answer questions from farmers, residents and local businesses about Australian Government relief assistance and services.”

Centrelink staff will be available tomorrow (Wednesday 5 April) in the following Centrelink offices and community recovery centres:

Innisfail Centrelink office 9am - 4.30pm
Atherton Centrelink Office 8.30am – 4.30pm
Babinda 55 Munro St 9am – 4pm
Millaa Millaa RSL 1pm - 3pm
South Mission Beach Progress Hall 10am - 3pm
Tully, Gumbadda, 6 Watkins St 10am - 4pm
Tully, Visitors Information Centre 10am – 3pm

To help streamline the claim process for farmers and business, staff will also be visiting a number of locations tomorrow to offer one-on-one assistance:

  • Babinda Canegrowers Office
  • Dairyfarmers office, Malanda
  • Innisfail Canegrowers office, Cnr Grace and Rankin Streets, Innisfail

Special phone lodgement facilities will also continue for Centrelink customers in Innisfail, Mareeba and the Atherton region who would normally have to come into a Centrelink office to lodge a form in order to receive their regular payment. Phone lodgement and general enquires are encouraged on Centrelink’s regular call centre numbers.

Newstart Allowance: 13 2850
Youth Allowance: 13 2490
ABSTUDY: 13 2317
Disability, Sickness and Carers: 13 2717

Centrelink’s Tropical Cyclone Larry Relief Hotline (180 2002) remains open seven days a week between 7am and 9pm.

Customers can also refer to the Centrelink website for more information at www.centrelink.gov.au

For more information, telephone the relevant Centrelink Media Contact.

Did you find what you were looking for? You can also try the A-Z list, quick links, search, site help, we speak your language or send us feedback on how to make this a better website.

Return to Top