The federal government has announced a further $50 million in bushfire funding.

$40 million will go to charities to help them provide food vouchers and other basics to victims, while the other $10 million is reserved for financial counselling.

Social Services Minister Anne Ruston tells Deborah Knight the money will allow bushfire victims to spend the money on a wider range of things.

“People are needing other things. They may need to buy new crockery and cutlery. They may need cash for things.

“We’re making sure the payment’s not only quickly available but also have a good scope of what they can spend them on.”

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