Australian Gov enacts new measures to help flood-affected communities
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With Queensland and NSW badly impacted by the heavy rains and flooding, the Australian Government has enacted new measures that will provide more help for the affected communities.
Electricity network crews have been able to reconnect several households and businesses across the two states.
Several of these network businesses have also put in place customer assistance, fee waiver and rebate schemes for affected consumers.
However, there are still around 19,500 customers across Queensland and New South Wales without power.
“It is important that the whole electricity sector comes together to support their customers,” Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said.
“This is why I have written to the Australian Energy Regulator, asking it to re-initiate the Statement of Expectations.”
The Statement of Expectations is a series of increased consumer protections to support households and small businesses impacted by COVID.
“These protections are equally applicable now, and I encourage all energy companies – networks and retailers – to come together to support their customers,” Minister Taylor said.
The Statement of Expectations include the following:
- offering all flood-affected residential and small business customers who indicate they may be in financial stress a payment plan or hardship arrangement;
- not disconnecting affected residential or small business customers – other than for safety or at their request;
- waiving any disconnection, reconnection and/or contract break fees for small businesses that have ceased operation, along with daily supply charges to retailers, during any period of disconnection;
- deferring referrals to debt collection agencies for recovery actions or credit default listing; and
- prioritising the safety of customers who require life support equipment and continuing to meet responsibilities to new life support customers.
Meanwhile, the Australian Government has also announced that it will provide immediate tax relief to affected communities.
The Commissioner of Taxation has agreed on a range of assistance measures for small businesses and individuals in flood-affected areas within the two states.
This will help alleviate cash flow pressures and assist communities with their recovery efforts.
It will also provide taxpayers in flood-affected areas with any additional time they need to meet any upcoming business activity statement obligations.
Impacted taxpayers that pay their Pay-As-You-Go Instalments quarterly will also be allowed to vary upcoming instalments and claim a refund of previously paid instalments.
Meanwhile, any GST refunds these taxpayers are entitled to will also be fast-tracked to free up cash flow and help fund their recovery efforts.
Small businesses and individuals affected by the floods will be able to notify the ATO of their circumstances.
They can discuss with the ATO the numerous assistance measures available to help them get back up on their feet.
Source: Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction & Treasury Ministers
Eliza is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum. She is an experienced writer on topics related to the government and to the public, as well as stories that uplift and improve the community.
