Supporting our members in crisis

NTEU members in Queensland and New South Wales are currently experiencing extraordinary flooding events. For some, this is resulting in the loss of homes, uprooting families and causing trauma.

On 2 March 2022, NTEU sent an email to all NSW and QLD members to acknowledge the immediate and dramatic losses experienced and to offer support.

Emergency Relief Grants and other support

Given that many needs are immediate, the Union is making available NTEU Emergency Grants of up to $1,000 for members who have suffered loss of their home, or other significant financial hardship.

In addition, members who are suffering financial hardship can apply to the General Secretary for relief from paying union dues for up to 3 months.

If you are in this position, please email Flood.Relief@nteu.org.au with your details and we will be in touch as soon as possible. NTEU has already received a number of applications and is considering each application and sending a quick response.

The grants are intended to provide emergency relief for people in immediate hardship. The intention is to support people in emergency situations who do not have the resources to manage. It is not intended to compensate for loss of income or costs of a clean-up per se.

But for those with significant costs who can manage, but are concerned about their ability to pay for the cleanup, we are offering fee waivers for 3 months, or up to 6 months if there is a need to consider a longer period.

Assistance on associated employment matters

Further, any member needs who support securing leave or problems associated with your employment should contact your NTEU Branch or Division Office for assistance. Donations

If you would like to make a donation to assist with the flood recovery efforts, please visit the Australian Red Cross to make your contribution. ◆

Australian Red Cross redcross.org.au

Emma Turley

Senior Lecturer in Criminology, CQU We live next to the river in West End and so have been affected by the flood water. The basement of our building is flooded meaning there is no electricity – no means of cooking, refrigeration, hot water, cooling (AC) etc. We lost power late Friday night when the flood water entered the basement. We have been informed by the building manager that due to the electrics all being housed in the basement estimates are that it will be 2-3 weeks before power is restored to the building. This is independent of Energex’s timescale to restore power to the street. I have diabetes and my blood sugar is much harder to control in the heat.

On Brisbane Council’s advice, we evacuated to an AirBnB on Monday 28 February due to my high blood sugar readings and we are here until Sunday 6 March. I’m from the UK and fairly new to Brisbane so I have no family or friends that can help.

Tfer Newsome

Associate Lecturer, Faculty of Creative Industries, Education & Social Justice, QUT Flood waters entered our home on 27 February and around 100cm in the house, with 1.8 metres of water around the house. We've lost our kitchen and living area and bathroom, and carport, electricity and hot water. We'll be out of the house for some weeks in temporary accommodation.

Margaret-Anne Messinbird

Sessional Lecturer, School of Education, Griffith University Our ceilings are flooded and will need to be replaced. We will also need to get a whole new tiled roof.

Anna Phelan

Lecturer, School of Business, UQ Our whole area has been severely affected by the floods. Our block has been completely cut off by flood waters for three days, and we are still without power. Our daughter’s home has been fully flooded and she and her partner and currently staying with us.

Image: Tfer Newsome. Used with permission