Eyre Peninsula Bushfires

I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Emergency Services a question about the Eyre Peninsula bushfires.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: On 27 September last year the member for Frome, Rob Kerin, asked a question of the Treasurer. He asked:

Why has the South Australian government never submitted a claim for natural disaster relief payments as offered by the federal government following the disastrous West Coast bushfires?

. . . Shortly after the fire the Commonwealth Department of Transport and Regional Services sent two officers over to advise the state government on how to make a claim for federal assistance.

Will the minister advise whether any claims have been made and, if not, why not?

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (Minister for Emergency Services): I think it is probably more appropriate that I take that question on notice and bring back some advice for the honourable member.

Thursday 31 May 2007

In reply to Hon J.M.A. LENSINK (15 March).

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: The Treasurer has provided the following information:

In response to the West Coast bushfire the South Australian Government’s original National Disaster Relief Arrangements (NORA) claim was lodged in June 2006 with the Commonwealth Department of Transport and Regional Services (DOTARS).

DOTARS has rejected certain aspects of that claim.

The State has made a revised claim for all eligible expenditure under the scheme as assessed by DOTARS, i.e. 50 per cent of $1 million in personal hardship and distress payments. However, the matter is not yet settled as negotiations are continuing at officer level to increase the size of the eligible claim.