MICHAEL ROWLAND:
Let's bring in the Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg. Treasurer, good morning. Let's start with the flood situation. What help is the Federal Government offering flood affected people in southeast Queensland and now northern New South Wales?
JOSH FRYDENBERG:
Well, we've activated the disaster recovery payment. That's a one‑off $1,000 non‑means tested, tax‑exempt payment. We've also got the disaster recovery allowance, which is up to a 13‑week payment for people who are unable to get to work. And then, of course, we've got broader disaster recovery arrangements that we have put in place for previous natural disasters, including the floods in Queensland back in 2019, in partnership with the State Government. Now, of course, our Defence Force is ready to go as well, and they've already been of assistance with Taipan helicopters helping to save people in Queensland from these rising flood waters. But clearly this is a very concerning situation. Quite a distressing one, Michael. Lives have already been lost. My condolences go to those families. And, of course, a very big thank you to our emergency service personnel who are doing such an amazing job on our behalf helping those people in need.
MICHAEL ROWLAND:
Talking about the help, which will be welcomed by everybody, it could take some time, couldn't it, we're showing our viewers some live pictures from Brisbane, this clean‑up could take weeks if not months.
JOSH FRYDENBERG:
Well, there are 17 local government areas that we're already working with and offering assistance with the clean‑up, because we've done that before and we'll do that again. We'll leave no stone unturned, Michael, in seeking to help those people who are going through this very, very difficult situation. We're working closely with the Queensland Government. We'll work closely with local governments, and the Federal Government has already, in just the last few years, put $17 billion to work on your behalf, on the Australian people's behalf, with respect to disaster recovery assistance. So we'll do that again because unfortunately here in Australia, whether it's fires, whether it's floods or other conditions, we see these disasters often too frequently.
MICHAEL ROWLAND:
And why is that, do you think?
JOSH FRYDENBERG:
Well, there's a number of factors. I think for forever it's been (inaudible), to be honest. But obviously, you know, this is a very concerning situation, and that's why we're standing at the ready to help these communities.
MICHAEL ROWLAND:
Okay. Now, that money is welcome. It is the role of the federal government, state governments, local governments to step up. What's going on with your colleague Peter Dutton setting up this Go Fund Me page for his local community in Brisbane asking people there to contribute to disaster recovery?
JOSH FRYDENBERG:
Well, I think this is a complete storm in a teacup, and it just shows you what a sewer, Michael, Twitter is, indeed, some aspects of social media are. I mean, what Peter has done here, and I spoke to him this morning, it's simply just offering further help from the local community to those who are in need. What we are doing as a federal government, of which Peter is a very senior member, is providing very substantial financial assistance to families, to businesses, as we've done in the past and will do again into the future. So I just think this is a complete storm in a teacup and I think it reflects, unfortunately, the sort of attacks that you see on social media that are without foundation.
MICHAEL ROWLAND:
So you think it's just people on social media raising this, concerns about being asked, those residents there who have other more immediate desires on their mind to reach into their own pockets to help with the disaster relief process?
JOSH FRYDENBERG:
Well, there are some people who may want to put their hand in their pockets. And there are always at times of natural disasters, you remember back in the bushfires, too, Michael, there was always in times of natural disasters community fundraising efforts. And whether that's through local banks or whether that's through charities or whether that's through Go Fund Me pages. I think, you know, all hands on the wheel and all help is accepted and everyone's grateful for. But in terms of the fundamental role of the federal government, of which Peter and I are members, it's to provide the big amounts of economic support, that $17 billion I referred to earlier, that's been provided in just the last few years alone to disaster relief. You can't get that sort of money through a Go Fund Me page, neither Peter or I would ever say you could.
MICHAEL ROWLAND:
Hey, we're just about out of time, but I want to ask you about Ukraine. The federal government is going to offer money to NATO to help provide weapons for the Ukrainians. Two questions; how much money, and what sort of weapons will Australia fund?
JOSH FRYDENBERG:
Well, you would have seen from the Prime Minister's comments yesterday, we're still working out the details of that actual support that we will provide to Ukraine in terms of the lethal equipment, and we've also made public already the non‑lethal support. So we need to work in partnership with the United Kingdom, with the United States as to the exact nature of that support. But we've already sanctioned over 350 individuals, including Vladimir Putin himself, putting in place travel bans, sanctioning Russian banks, and we'll work together with our partners to take further actions as required. And overnight, Michael, I spoke to my US counterpart, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, and we agreed to continue to work closely in turning the screws on Vladimir Putin and his cronies.
MICHAEL ROWLAND:
Treasurer, appreciate your time this morning. Thank you.
JOSH FRYDENBERG:
Thanks Michael.