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 INNISFAIL, Australia (AP) - Prime Minister John Howard toured cyclone-shattered regions of northern Australia on Wednesday and announced a multimillion dollar package of low-interest loans and tax-free grants to help farmers and small businesses begin rebuilding.
His comments came as heavy rainfall and flooding hampered relief and cleanup efforts by hundreds of troops two days after Cyclone Larry battered the region with 180 mph winds.
After trudging through mud and rain in a flattened banana plantation, Howard said the package would likely total "some hundreds of millions of dollars" for farmers and business owners, though he didn't provide a specific figure. The aid involves grants of $7,150 to help with the cleanup and low-interest loans of up to $145,000, he said. Thousands are expected to apply.
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