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Overview

If you are a journalist and would like to submit a media enquiry or interview request for the Coordinator-General of the National Emergency Management Agency you can

Please make sure to include your questions, deadline and/or preferred interview time.

The Agency's media inbox and phone are monitored during business hours Monday to Friday and checked intermittently outside these times.

If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help now, call triple zero (000).

You can also call  Lifeline on 13 11 14 — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you are have been affected by a disaster and want to know about available assistance, visit Disaster Assist.

For more information about mental health support visit healthdirect or Head to Health.

Media articles

Personal Hardship Assistance for more disaster hit Moreton Bay residents

Joint media release with the Hon Nikki Boyd MP

New localities across the City of Moreton Bay have been activated for Personal Hardship Assistance through joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) in response to recent heavy rainfall and flooding.

This includes the suburbs of Arana Hills, Beachmere, Burpengary East, Caboolture, Dayboro, Eatons Hill, Highvale, Joyner, Laceys Creek, Lawnton, Samford Valley, Samford Village, Strathpine, Warner and Wights Mountain.

Recovery support for flood-affected communities

Joint media release with Janelle Saffin MP​

Disaster assistance is now available in the Lismore and Tweed Shire Local Government Areas (LGAs) following impacts of flooding from 31st December 2023.

The assistance measures are being provided by the Australian and New South Wales Governments through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

DRFA support includes:

Backpackers to lend a hand in natural disaster recovery

Joint media release with the Hon Andrew Giles MP and Nita Green

The Australian Government is providing greater incentives for backpackers to help with natural disaster recovery through changes to the Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program as part of its continued effort to resource and support communities recovering from natural disasters.

Under previous arrangements, people who held a Working Holiday Makers who worked or volunteered in areas affected by floods and bushfires were eligible to apply for a second or third WHM visa.

Lower River Murray levees flood recovery funding agreement

Joint media release with the Hon Susan Close MP

The Australian and South Australian Governments are partnering to progress critical remediation works to government-owned levees in the Lower River Murray Reclaimed Irrigation Area (LMRIA).

Up to $17.1 million in funding will provide for remediation of government-owned levees between Mannum and Wellington which were damaged in the 2022-23 River Murray flood.

This assistance is jointly-funded by the Federal and State Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

More disaster support for Queensland communities in the wake of ex-TC Kirrily

Joint media release with the Hon Nikki Boyd MP

With the effects of ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily still being felt across Queensland, more communities impacted by the severe weather can access jointly funded disaster assistance through Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Flood affected residents in the Hinchinbrook LGA and the targeted areas of Hervey Range in Charters Towers, Kynuna and McKinlay in McKinlay Shire, and Warra in the Western Downs can apply for financial support through the Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme.

Personal Hardship Assistance available to flood affected Bray Park residents

Joint media release with the Hon Nikki Boyd MP and the Hon Leeanne Enoch MP

Disaster assistance has begun rolling out for residents impacted by severe weather associated with ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily in South East Queensland.

While impact assessments are still underway, the Australian and Queensland Governments have begun delivering support in some of the worst-hit areas, with assistance for Moreton Bay Council, and Bray Park residents activated this morning.

Disaster assistance extended in the aftermath of TC Kirrily

Joint media release with the Hon Nikki Boyd MP

Disaster assistance for Tropical Cyclone Kirrily has now been extended to help residents and local councils with response and recovery costs.

Residents within Townsville City Council and Burdekin Shire Council can now apply for Personal Hardship Assistance grants, with $180 for individuals and up to $900 for a family of five or more, available to cover the costs of essentials as a result of loss of power requiring the disposal of spoilt food or medicines.

Federal disaster assistance extended to more communities in South East Queensland

Joint media release with the Hon Bill Shorten MP​

The Australian Government has extended disaster assistance payments to more people who suffered serious damage or injury in severe storms in South East Queensland last month.

The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) will be available from 2pm AEST today (January 25) for eligible people in the following suburbs: