Terrorist attacks have been added to the Federal Government’s Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements list of covered events.

Extending the list’s charter means recovery assistance funding will now be available in the event of a terrorist attack.

The Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements are a set of co-operative arrangements under which the Federal Government assists states and territories with disaster relief and recovery costs once fixed financial thresholds are exceeded.

Attorney-General Robert McClelland says the changes will help communities to rebuild in the aftermath of a catastrophic event.

“This change will ensure that funding arrangements will be implemented without confusion in the event of a terrorist attack, just as they would be for a flood or bushfire.”