The Albanese and Minns Governments are today announcing emergency financial assistance to help residents in the State’s north-east severely impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

The jointly funded package will provide emergency financial assistance of $180 for individuals or up to $900 per family to cover essential costs such as food, clothing, medicines and emergency accommodation.

The Personal Hardship Assistance Grant for individuals and families is part of a range of support aimed at helping people recover.

JANELLE SAFFIN, STATE MEMBER FOR LISMORE: Thank you. I'd like to welcome our Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, here to Lismore on a return visit. And I can say it's really pleasing for me and the whole community to have the Prime Minister here, particularly given the things that we've gone through with this flood event. Also with the Prime Minister is the Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles. We also have Special Envoy, Tony Sheldon. We have the Minister for Emergency Management, Jenny McAllister.

The Albanese Government is activating financial support for communities directly affected by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred through the Disaster Recovery Allowance.

This allowance offers up to 13 weeks of income support for eligible workers and sole traders depending on their personal circumstances who have suffered a loss of income as a direct result of the event.

It will be available in: 

KARL STEFANOVIC, HOST: Let's bring in Prime Minister Anthony Albanese now live on the Grey Coast. PM, good morning to you. Look, Alfred certainly outstayed its welcome, hasn't it?

A short time ago there was a serious vehicle incident involving two Australian Defence Force vehicles near Lismore.

A number of ADF personnel have been injured, some seriously.

Medical assistance is on hand. We stress this is an ongoing incident.

Right now our focus is on the welfare of those involved and their families.

Our ADF heroes were on their way to help Australians in need.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. I’m joined by the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Richard Marles, and the Head of Military Strategic Commitments, Rear Admiral Jonathan Earley this morning. Last night near Lismore, 7th Brigade soldiers who are based at the Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane as part of Joint Task Force 629 were involved in a serious vehicle accident. There were 32 soldiers across two vehicles involved in this incident. 13 soldiers were assessed on scene as having injuries. Six have serious injuries.

DOM FAY, HOST: Zach and Dom on KIIS 97.3, we are with you all the way Brissie as we go through this weather event right now and now Zach, we are very excited to welcome to the show Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with the latest. Prime Minister, thank you so much for making time.

PRIME MINISTER: Good to be with you. It's a very tough time for people in South East Queensland at the moment so thank you for having me on the program.

MOYRA MAJOR, HOST: It is an absolute pleasure to be joined by the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, good afternoon, Sir, Your Majesty, whatever we're supposed to call you.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Albo will do.

MAJOR: Albo is fine? Okay.

TREVOR BUTLER, HOST: G’day. How are you?

JOE BUFFONE, DEPUTY COORDINATOR-GENERAL OF THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY: Good morning everyone. I'm Joe Buffone from the National Emergency Management Agency. I'm one of the Deputy Coordinator Generals here. Welcome to the National Situation Room. We have just briefed the Prime Minister on the current situation from a national perspective. The Bureau has briefed him, ADF have briefed him, NEMA has briefed him and we've also briefed on recovery matters that we're preparing for.

SARAH FERGUSON, HOST: Prime Minister, welcome to 7.30.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good evening Sarah.

FERGUSON: Governments learnt stark lessons from previous disasters, including Lismore in 2022. Have you done everything you can to prepare communities for the impact of the cyclone?