One year on and relief has just arrived

By PETER ROWE
EDITOR

It’s almost a year since Tropical Cyclone Jasper devastated parts of north Queensland, leaving residents homeless.

Wujal Wujal residents were evacuated to Cooktown with shire council CEO Kiley Hanslow saying many had become refugees, with little help from State or Federal government.

With the Canberra bureaucrats on long summer holidays the 100 or so evacuees got little assistance.

Homes were lost as were pets and personal belongings.

Minuscule payments of about $1000 per adult were handed out – as if that was enough – and local businesses were forced to jump through hoops to source income support.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese flew in, shook a couple of hands and flew out.

Temporary accomodation was erected, a health clinic opened in May, yet in June there were still a number of raffles and fundraisers being held to support the people of Wujal Wujal.

Access to Cape Tribulation happened but life was still a tough proposition.

Families had begun to slowly return in April, but it was clear then – and still is – that more government support was needed.

The Cape York Weekly reported that most residents would be home by the end of June, and that healing could begin.

A $100,000 grant was awarded to the community in September to provide services for the community.

Charity group Thread Together came to town to distribute clothing to about 160 residents.

T-shirts, shorts, footwear, wet weather ponchos, caps, all sorts – and it cheered locals up.

But why did it take almost a year – yes, one year – for the Queensland State government (aided by Canberra) to agree a $13.9 million package of support for the township?

A year has gone by and the people of Wujal Wujal are facing another wet season with the possibility of more heavy rain and cyclone conditions.

The bureaucracy and red tape of government – both Federal and State – when it comes to relief for First Nations people, is a disgrace.