Misery at "Surfrider ! "

It seems incredible that a week after floods devastated the Illawarra neither the Federal or state governments have made any move to provide relief to the victims. In particular, the residents of Surfrider caravan park are sleeping in saturated vans because they lack the money for any other type of accommodation. Their only relief has come from the public - who have been generous in providing food, clothing and donated furniture - but none of this even approaches their real needs. They are studiously ignored by the Federal government which handed out thousand dollar emergency relief grants to flood residents in Brisbane and in Victoria. As usual, the Illawarra is out of sight - and out of mind when it comes to Federal process. State relief involves a long and arduous application process - which is means tested for income and assets. Those with any sort of private insurance are automatically excluded from any benefits. It is an unfortunate matter of timing that this flood occurred within a week of a state election - which brought a change of government. Not the ideal time for state apparatus to swing into action. But - the election is over - and a new premier has been sworn in. High on the list of waiting priorities should be a cash handout to relieve this festering problem at the Surfrider !