Our hearts and thoughts are with the communities in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria affected by flooding, many of whom are FSU members. Queensland members who need advice or assistance from the union should call the Member Rights Centre on 1300 366 378.

As we reported previously, the FSU has contacted employers who have branches in the affected areas to ensure that members unable to attend work are still being paid and that clean up operations of workplaces will be undertaken by qualified tradespeople.

And we stand ready to support the many FSU members that will be working to assist their customers with assessing the damage as the waters recede and to rebuild their homes and lives.

Members in the insurance industry will be working hard to process claims and get much needed rebuilding and reequipping of businesses and houses started. Members in local banks and credit unions will be assisting customers to access funds to buy essentials.

Banks have announced support packages for affected communities and to assist them to access emergency funds or defer repayments. We applaud this move.

The Prime Minister has announced income assistance payments for flood victims, and you can find out more by visiting the Government’s disaster assistance website here.

And as reported by Money Management, the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) is offering free financial advice to those affected by the Queensland floods.

The association has set up the Financial Planning Pro-Bono Referral Service to connect people with a local financial planner, the same service that was on offer during the Victorian bushfire catastrophe.

Flood victims seeking advice on their current financial situation can call 1300 626 393 or visit www.fpa.asn.au to arrange to speak with a financial planner free of charge.

Anyone wishing to donate to the Queensland Premier’s Flood Relief Appeal can do so by following this link: www.qld.gov.au/floods/donate.html. The FSU has made a donation of $10,000 from the Union Care Fund.

We hope you can all stay out of harm’s way.

Leon Carter, National Secretary