Money for nothing

By Monique Ebrington
ANGER is growing among some Yarra Ranges residents who claim government bushfire handouts are being exploited.
The Mail has received more than 12 calls over the past two weeks from people concerned that the spirit of the relief money was not being upheld.
These include concern that people from areas not directly threatened by fire, like Launching Place and Woori Yallock, who had spent a night at the Lilydale Relief Centre had claimed up to $2800 in compensation.
Others report former residents coming from interstate and Melbourne’s suburbs to claim what they describe as easy money.
Centrelink is offering $1000 for each adult and $400 for each child unable to return to their principal place of residence due to the Victorian bushfires for a period of 24 hours or more. This claim can be made under the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment until Friday 7 August.
Warburton resident Sue Slusarek and her husband Stan, who stayed on their property during urgent fire threat days, prepared their home with fire equipment valued at more than $4000.
Because they did not leave, the couple are not entitled to the money.
Mrs Slusarek said it seemed like an incentive to leave properties under threat of fire.
“There were two plans, to stay and defend or to leave and to leave early. But there was never a mention of money for any of those things,” Mrs Slusarek said. “If they’re going to pay people $1000 to leave, they’re saying it’s not safe to stay. And they should just have the balls to say that.”
Mrs Slusarek said she felt people were given the money for being unprepared.
“If your plan is to leave you have to make provisions, just as people who chose to stay make provisions. You should plan where you intend to go when you leave your home and, if need be, money for accommodation,” she said.
She said people who claimed money from the government shouldn’t have done so based on principle.
“As a tax payer I’m really angry. It doesn’t ring true with me, it’s un-Australian. What happened to people working for their money, actually earning it?” she said.