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Businesses delighted with Centrelink personal visits:

Queensland Media Release
Wednesday, 5 April 2006

Businesses throughout cyclone-affected north Queensland have welcomed Centrelink visits to their sites to raise awareness of the assistance available to help them get back on their feet.

Centrelink spokesman Ken Wilson said Centrelink staff have received positive feedback about their door-to-door visits.

"We know many businesses have been busy trying to get back up and running so we thought we would take our service to them rather than asking them come to us," Ken said.

"Business owners have been thrilled to see us making an effort to get to them. In most cases, we've also organised a time for us to return to collect forms.

"Many have said it's one less thing they've had to worry about so we're glad our personal service is making a difference for these people.

"Centrelink has now paid out in excess of $51.5 million in emergency assistance and our Cyclone Larry Relief Hotline continues to run hot with around 24 500 calls answered so far."

Centrelink staff will be available tomorrow (Thursday 6 April) in the following Centrelink offices and community recovery centres:

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.

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

For more information, telephone the relevant Centrelink Media Contact.