Fed: Howard and Beattie to discuss more help for Larry victims

AAP General News (Australia)
04-03-2006
Fed: Howard and Beattie to discuss more help for Larry victims

CANBERRA, April 3 AAP - Employment subsidies and welfare benefits payable to victims
of Cyclone Larry are on the agenda when Prime Minister John Howard and Queensland Premier
Peter Beattie meet today in Canberra.

Mr Howard last week expanded the federal government relief package after lobbying from
Queensland MPs and senators and the state government.

The cap on concessional loans was increased to $500,000 for farmers and businesses.

The maximum tax-free, ex-gratia payment available for businesses was more than doubled,
and the cap of 20 full-time employees in the eligibility criteria for those payments was
removed.

Farmers who hired generators to keep stock alive will also be reimbursed under the package.

The meeting today is understood to be focusing on employment subsidies and job search
allowances to help prevent an exodus of people who lost their jobs through the cyclone.

Cyclone Larry, a maximum category five storm, wiped out 80 per cent of Australia's
banana crop in north Queensland, leaving an estimated 4,000 people out of work.

It crossed the Queensland coast early on March 20 and continued inland, forming into
a low pressure system and dumping rain in the state's north.

Mr Howard and Mr Beattie will meet at Parliament House some time in the afternoon.

AAP shh/rj/de

KEYWORD: LARRY DAYLEAD

2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.