Thanks for interstate recovery workers

Community Services Minister Karen Struthers today thanked 27 interstate
workers who have been helping with flood recovery efforts in Queensland.

Ms Struthers said 18 workers from South Australia and nine from the
Australian Capital Territory had been involved in a range of recovery
work in Brisbane over the past few weeks.

"We're talking about dedicated people who came to help in our greatest
time of need," Ms Struthers said.

"In cooperation with Queensland's own dedicated workforce, the workers
have helped our state get on the road to recovery as people start to
rebuild their lives and their homes.

"The workers from SA and the ACT have left their families and brought
their skills and experience and we are very grateful for this help.

"This is a clear demonstration of the Australian spirit of mateship and
camaraderie."

The 27 interstate workers, who leave Brisbane this afternoon, were
thanked at a morning tea and debriefing this morning.

They have worked in a range of roles including as community recovery
workers, community recovery centre managers and central office
strategists.

They joined hundreds of staff from Queensland Government agencies, local
councils and partner agencies such as Lifeline, Red Cross and the
Salvation Army who have contributed to the recovery effort across the
state.

"We are out and about all over Queensland to help those who have been
affected by these floods," Ms Struthers said.

"We could not have done this without the efforts of each and every
person working on community recovery.

"Help will continue to be available and I encourage anyone affected by
the floods to phone 1800 173 349 to see what assistance they may be
eligible for."