Bushfire recovery money must reach victims, not bureaucracy

The Nationals Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland MP, says new reporting shows just $12 million of the $370 million bushfire recovery package announced by the Allan and Albanese Labor governments has so far reached Victorians directly impacted by the January fires.

Ms Cleeland said the figures confirm the promised support was simply not getting to people on the ground.

“Communities were told hundreds of millions of dollars would help them recover,” Ms Cleeland said.

“But the reality is that only about $12 million has reached Victorians directly, while farmers and families are still waiting for meaningful support.”

The $12 million represents emergency relief payments of $680 per adult and $340 per child distributed to around 10,200 Victorians.

At the same time, more than $112 million has been allocated to a Labor-managed clean-up program, while less than a quarter of the $40 million set aside for primary producer recovery grants had been distributed.

“For farmers who have lost fencing, livestock, infrastructure and future income, delays in support make an already devastating situation even harder,” Ms Cleeland said.

“In many cases families are dipping into savings or taking on debt just to keep their farms running while they wait for government programs to move.”

Ms Cleeland said the figures raised serious questions about how disaster funding was being distributed.

“When governments announce huge headline figures, people reasonably assume that money will reach those who lost homes, farms and livelihoods,” she said.

“But if most of that funding is tied up in administration, programs and process instead of reaching people directly, then something is clearly wrong.”

Ms Cleeland said she would continue pressing the Victorian Government to provide clear public reporting on how much recovery funding was reaching affected individuals, farmers and businesses.

“Recovery funding must prioritise people, not paperwork,” she said.

“Our communities have shown extraordinary resilience. The least governments can do is ensure the support promised actually reaches them.”