Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, accompanied by Premier Jacinta Allan, paid a visit to the town of Harcourt today, a community grappling with increasing devastation. The visit underscored the severity of the situation and the government’s commitment to aid in recovery efforts.

“To the people of Victoria, my message is straightforward: we are here for you, not just during this crisis but throughout the recovery process as well,” declared Albanese. His words aimed to reassure the affected residents of continued support and collaboration between federal and state governments.

He further emphasized, “We’ll work in partnership with the government to ensure that the necessary resources and assistance are provided, enabling individuals and communities to rebuild and regain stability after this challenging time.”

Meanwhile, Premier Allan acknowledged the deep sense of loss within the community. “This is not the end of our support for fire-affected areas,” she stated, recognizing the emotional and physical toll on residents. “We understand that there is a long recovery journey ahead.”

“This will not be the end of the assistance for those fire-affected communities … we know there is a long recovery journey ahead,” she said.

What support has been announced?

Albanese today said his government was activating financial assistance through the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) for people in areas affected by Victoria’s bushfires.

From 2pm on Wednesday, January 14, the payment will be available for eligible people in Barkers Creek, Harcourt, Harcourt North, Longwood, Longwood East, Natimuk, Ravenswood South, Ruffy and Sutton Grange.

AGDRP helps those who have suffered the most serious impacts, including major damage to their home, serious injury, or loss of a loved one as a result of the bushfires.

It’s a one-off payment of $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per child.

This support comes on top of the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) announced yesterday by the Albanese and Allan governments.

That support, jointly funded by the Commonwealth and state governments, is to help households, small businesses, primary producers and councils impacted by fires that began on January 7.

Support for Strathbogie, Towong, Mansfield and Murrindindi shires includes assistance with the establishment and running of emergency relief centres, personal and financial counselling, removal of debris from residential properties to make them safe and habitable, restoration of essential public assets, and counter disaster operations.

The assistance may also be extended to other local government areas as the disaster unfolds, the governments said.

Emergency relief assistance is also available for eligible people who have had their home damaged or destroyed by the fires, or their home was in an evacuation warning area and they have had to evacuate.

Assistance under the program includes a one-off payment of $680 per adult and $340 per child, up to a maximum of $2380 per eligible family, to help cover the costs of essentials like food, clothing, medication and accommodation.

To reiterate, the one-off payment from the AGDRP is $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per child.

The DRFA is a one-off payment of $680 per adult and $340 per child, up to a maximum of $2380 per eligible family.

If people need help to claim, they can call the Australian Government Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66.