A central Queensland MP is calling on the federal government to make it easier for those struggling in the wake of Cyclone Marcia to receive disaster assistance.
Keppel MP Brittany Lauga's electorate covers some of the worst cyclone-hit areas including Yeppoon and north Rockhampton, as well as smaller rural communities such as Byfield.
Queenslanders affected by Cyclone Marcia can currently apply for a disaster recovery payment of $1000 per adult and $400 per child.
But to be eligible, they must have suffered a serious injury or had their home destroyed or extensively damaged.
Principal carers of dependent children who have experienced these hardships also qualify.
By comparison, a one-off payment of the same amount was made after Cyclone Oswald in 2013 to anyone adversely affected.
The tightened criteria unfairly invalidates those already struggling financially and who are now finding it hard to even feed themselves, Ms Lauga says.
"I spoke to a single mum yesterday and she said she and her young daughter had had their last meal," Ms Lauga told AAP.
"They were told they were ineligible."
Ms Lauga says she's been contacted by a number of people claiming their applications have been knocked back.
Many were casual workers who hadn't had any source of income since the storm.
"They've been using the criteria that says just loss or power and food out of your fridge doesn't count," Ms Lauga said of the federal scheme.
"I'm saying that's absolutely wrong."
Ms Lauga says she herself still doesn't have power and is relying on help from family and friends.
"But there are people out there that don't have that support," she says.
Share
