Bushfire (山火) victims have reacted angrily after being told they must present identification to get Federal Government assistance, despite most having lost everything.
An open letter published in a News Limited newspaper this morning questioned the ability of Centrelink, the government-appointed agency, to quickly distribute the payments of $1,000 per and $400 per child.
News Ltd journalist Gary Hughes, who escaped the fires at St Andrews, said when he and others fronted Centrelink on Monday they were told there would be no financial help unless they could produce a driver’s license or bank statement.
"What’s that meant to be, some cruel joke" Mr. Hughes wrote.
"Losing everything means just that—everything. There are many like us who didn’t have time to calmly pause to collect wallets and purses as we fled our homes with wet towels over our faces to avoid choking (窒息) to death".
Human Services Minster Joe Ludwig has apologized for the inconvenience and says all efforts are being made to ensure people get the help they need.
"I don’t know the precise details but we are sorry if it did happen," Senator Ludwig said. "We have instructed Centrelink to take the lightest possible approach in confirming identity."
He says while identification was helpful, a signature would be enough, adding that about 800 applicants for assistance had already received the money.
Fire victims became angry when they learned that ______.