A review into Australia’s disaster funding arrangements had been identified as necessary by the former Coalition Government, but it has taken eight months for the Albanese Government to act, according to Shadow Emergency Management Minister, Senator Perin Davey.
Senator Davey welcomed the announcement of the review to look at Commonwealth investment including joint funding arrangements, reporting requirements and payments timeframes but said it should have been initiated earlier.
“This inquiry was originally announced by the Coalition Government in April 2022, was supported by the States and could have been well underway by now,” Senator Davey said.
“Now that Minister Watt has discovered how complex emergency management is, I am glad he has now established this review to ensure Government funding arrangements are being directed efficiently and effectively.
“As former Emergency Management Minister, Bridget McKenzie said when she announced the review last year, we need to ensure that taxpayers have confidence that the current arrangements ensure that those Australians in need are being assisted in a timely way.”
Senator Davey called for the review to also look at measuring and managing appropriate risk, what more efforts need to be considered in limiting the effects and impacts of disaster and the role of the insurance sector.
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