Media Release

CYCLONE Yasi victims can voice any concerns regarding the government’s recovery package directly to the Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter in person at Tully this Friday evening.

Mr Katter has welcomed anyone impacted by the cyclone – from residents to business people and tourism operators to farmers – to participate in the open forum on the recovery process.

Mr Katter has called the community meeting in the wake of numerous complaints to his office regarding significant concerns across a range of recovery issues; such as insurance, the clean‐up, and restrictive eligibility criteria for a financial assistance from wage subsidies to grants and loans.

“We will very soon be putting evidence of these issues to Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan,” said Mr Katter.
“Treasurer Swan has consistently asserted that the recovery package should not be overly restrictive.

“However, as the whole thing is being controlled out of Brisbane, there is a real chance that it has been drawn to meet the needs of the Brisbane flood victims – they will take $1.8 thousand million and North Qld will be left with the crumbs.

“We believe critical modifications need to be made to this package to facilitate real recovery assistance to North Queensland communities; and it is the people on the ground with the essential knowledge of what the major roadblocks to recovery are.

“That’s why it is imperative that impacted people tell us at Friday’s forum exactly where there are outstanding problems so we can fight to ensure the Qld Government gives our devastated communities their a fair share of some $1.8 billion being raised though the Federal Government’s diaster levy.”

• The Yasi Community Recovery Meeting will be held from 6.30pm this Friday, 15 April, at the Tully Mill Meeting Hall in Writ Lane.