September 25, 2018
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced a boost in drought assistance from the Queensland Drought Appeal.
Payments were originally capped at $5000 per family but have now been lifted to $7500 as the appeal tally climbs above $2.8 million.
“Everybody knows there are families out there doing it incredibly tough,” Premier Palaszczuk said.
“But we need to do more.
“Just last week our Parliament House fundraiser collected $120,000. We’re so close to $3 million. Come on Queensland! We can do it!”
Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington called on the Premier to lift the $5000 cap in a letter on September 19.
“Although the QCWA is doing an incredible job at distributing the funds received in the Appeal, for many regional families and businesses the $5000 available for them to request is a drop in the ocean to the many thousands of dollars in bills and expenses they are struggling with every day, ” Mrs Frecklington wrote.
“With this in mind, I am writing to you today to request that you review the $5000 cap on requests for financial assistance.
“In many cases, QCWA’s hands are tied by this cap and they are unable to offer further assistance when more is clearly needed, I ask that you consider this issue and act swiftly to ensure that QCWA is able to continue its incredible work and help our regional communities in this time of need.”
Country Women’s Association President Joy Coulson welcomed the boost in assistance.
“An increase will help process applications where exceptional circumstances would warrant higher funds granted to a particular applicant,” she said.
The Queensland Drought Appeal was launched in August.
