October South-Eastern Floods:
key information
As with any crisis, it is solidarity that will see us through safely, and we hope that each and every one of our members (and their families and friends) are safe through the floods over the coming weeks.
Information for members impacted by the recent floods:
- Up-to-date and accurate emergency information for your area: this ABC website allows you to find nearby incidents to your location and the relevant emergency broadcaster (along with other helpful advice).
- Dealing with power outages and emergencies: your network provider manages the actual critical energy distribution infrastructure (draw whatever critique you like of privatised retailing from that observation), so it’s important to know who they are and how to contact their 24/7 emergency hotlines. If you’re not sure who your distributor is then check your energy bill or otherwise use this Australian Energy Regulator website to find them.
- Emergency relief funding: you can check on what relief funding is currently available here through the federal government, the New South Wales government, the Tasmanian government, and the Victorian government. Check these links often, as government assistance available for your circumstances, or in your area, may change.
- Health Support during floods: this factsheet is from flooding earlier in the year but is a federal government resource on health support for flood-impacted members of our community, including mental health support.
United Workers Union’s Climate Disaster Relief Fund
In 2020, the United Workers Union established a Climate Disaster Relief Fund for members. This fund was established in response to the urgent and ongoing nature of the climate crisis, and recognises the impacts of the climate crisis on working people, communities and country.
Flood-affected members and members volunteering with emergency services can apply to access the below support from their Union.
- A $500 emergency payment for any member who's lost their home or place of residence in the current floods and for any future climate disaster;
- A $100 payment per day for each member volunteering with an emergency services organisation (where the member does not have access to paid emergency services leave or has run out);
- Fee waivers for members who've suffered a disruption to their income for any flood related reason;
To apply, please use the form below.
To access the emergency payment or volunteer payment please use this form:
Workplace assistance:
You can call the numbers below to discuss any issues such as missed shifts and workplace health and safety during this time.
For workplace queries, your member contact lines are: NSW: 1800 805 027 QLD: 1800 065 885
Please note: the Member Rights Team is being inundated with calls, but please leave a message and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.