Rudd must address injustice of denying one-off cash payments to Coffs Coast flood victims

June 9, 2009

Kevin Rudd must show true leadership - acknowledge his government has made a mistake - and deliver one-off cash payments to Coffs Coast residents affected by the March 31 floods, Federal MP Luke Hartsuyker said today. Mr Hartsuyker was today presented with a petition of more than 6,200 signatures by the Editor of the Coffs Coast Advocate Brent Lees.

The petition calls for a one off cash payment of $1000 per adult and $400 per child for those affected by the March floods.  “The response to this petition has been overwhelming I would like to thank the residents of the Coffs Coast for their support and congratulate the Coffs Coast Advocate,” Mr Hartsuyker said.

 

“The Rudd Government was wrong when it decided not to extend the same level of assistance for individuals affected by the March 31 flood as what was delivered to victims of the May event.  No government of any persuasion should turn their back on victims of a natural disaster.  After originally telling the Parliament that assistance would be extended to those affected by the March floods, the Prime Minister was clearly being mean and tricky when his office back tracked from that commitment the following day.

 

“This is a gross injustice and I share the anger of our local community. Although it is over two months since the March event there are still many people who are struggling to make ends meet because of the damage inflicted. The Prime Minister must fix this problem and fix it immediately.”

 

Mr Hartsuyker said the Coffs Coast Advocate decision to publish the petition had been a very effective way to get so many signatures in a short space of time.  “We needed to get a message to Kevin Rudd and get it to him without delay. Having the Coffs Coast Advocate on board was a very effective way to get people to voice their opinion. When the Parliament resumes next week I will be tabling the petition and again pushing the Government to give Coffs Coast residents a fair go.”

 

< Prev		Next >