Media Release

KAP Leader and Federal Member for Kennedy Hon Bob Katter has today written to the Human Services Minister to call for Federal Government assistance to be extended to rural areas also impacted by flooding.

"Whilst Townsville is experiencing an unprecedented weather event, a very large area of the Kennedy electorate north, south and west of Townsville is also being subjected to the same relentless weather event," Mr Katter said.

"We have today received calls from constituents in a rural area who have been without power for seven days but have been informed by Centrelink they are ineligible for the hardship payment .

"Many of our rural constituents believe they are being ignored and that the criteria for the hardship payments are urban orientated and that this criteria needs to be broadened.

"These people have experienced unrelenting weather over an extended period of time not seen before in these regions and it would be appreciated if your urgent attention could be given to this issue," Mr Katter said.

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