Opposition leader Anthony Albanese has made a major election promise that he says will save lives when major bushfires or floods hit.
Anthony Albanese has promised to redivert millions from a $4.7bn disaster recovery fund towards actually preventing damage and devastation in the first place.
In a major election pitch that follows the devastating floods in Queensland this past week, the Opposition leader will promise $200m each year for projects like flood levees, sea walls, cyclone shelters, evacuation centres, fire breaks and telecommunications improvements.
Labor’s plan would use money from the existing $4.7bn Emergency Response Fund that has earned $700m in interest since it was first created about two years ago.
Last year, a senate estimates committee was told none of the money had actually been used because it was a “future fund”, meaning the interest earnt off it was available, however other sources had been at hand.
Mr Albanese described his plan as a “revamp” of the fund that would save lives.
He said he wanted state or territory governments to match the money so $400m a year went toward prevention works.
“These investments will literally save lives not to mention the taxpayers’ funds that have to be spent on recovery and repairs when disasters hit,” he said.
“Labor will revamp the failed Emergency Response Fund so that it spends $200m per year for disaster prevention and resilience.”
Mr Albanese said Labor would also continue to fully fund disaster recovery through the existing arrangements, cut red tape to ensure the money “gets out the door faster” and speed up payments to disaster victims.
“As with Covid, the Morrison government’s failure to plan and prepare for natural disasters has left Australians vulnerable,” he said.
It comes after personal hardship grants of up to $180 per person were announced as being available for residents in 13 localities within the Fraser Coast and Gympie following Cyclone Seth’s devastation.
The assistance is being provided through joint federal and state government funding arrangements.
Federal member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien said the scale, intensity and speed of the disaster caused widespread losses.
“Nothing can replace the stock and crops that have been lost, the loss of trade for businesses, the damaged and destroyed personal effects, and the absence from loved ones that the floods have caused, but these payments and allowances will hopefully help to ease some of the burden from this natural disaster,” the Liberal MP said.
A report released last year warned climate-change related disasters would cost Australia $73bn by 2060 even if work was done to reduce emissions immediately.
Originally published as Federal election: Labor promises to redirect $200m towards disaster prevention
For all the latest Technology News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
