THE Federal Government has abandoned proposed changes to disaster recovery funding arrangements after a fierce Queensland campaign warning councils could be left to pick up a much bigger share of the rebuilding bill.
The proposed Disaster Recovery Funding Framework, unveiled in June, would have replaced existing arrangements with a fixed 50-50 funding split between Canberra and the states.
Instead, the Commonwealth will retain the current cost-sharing model, providing up to 75 per cent funding for eligible disaster recovery costs when criteria are met.
Under the existing system, the Commonwealth contributes an average of about 64 per cent of Queensland’s disaster recovery costs with its share rising as high as 75 per cent for some categories of assistance.
Queensland councils and the State Government warned the change would shift millions of dollars in costs onto communities already battling cyclones, floods, bushfires and severe storms.
All 77 Queensland mayors joined calls for the proposal to be scrapped, while the Local Government Association of Queensland lodged a detailed submission warning regional councils could be forced to delay repairs to roads, bridges and other vital infrastructure.
Federal Member for Bonner Kara Cook said Queensland Labor MPs had pushed hard within the Albanese Government to retain the funding arrangements.
“I raised Bonner’s concerns in multiple meetings with Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain because I know how much reliable recovery funding matters to our community,” Ms Cook said.
“After the impact of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, my message was clear.
“Our community needs certainty that support will be there when disaster strikes.
“We took those concerns directly to the Minister, pressed for changes and the Government listened.
“Today’s announcement shows that advocacy has made a difference.”
Ms Cook said the Government would also retain councils’ ability to claim eligible Counter Disaster Operations costs and revise funding activation thresholds to improve access to support.
“During Alfred, we saw the enormous effort involved in responding to severe weather and helping our community recover,” she said.
“Councils need practical support to do that work.”
The Federal Government had argued the new framework would simplify claims, reduce red tape and deliver support faster, but Queensland leaders said a one-size-fits-all formula would leave the nation’s most disaster-prone state worse off.
Premier David Crisafulli welcomed Friday’s announcement.
“I would like to thank the Prime Minister for listening to our concerns and arriving at a commonsense decision,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“We now wait to see further details and ensure this is delivered and funding arrangements are maintained in full, so Queenslanders can have certainty and confidence in their hour of need during disaster season.”
Mr Crisafulli said the State had stood with mayors, councils and the LGAQ to fight the changes.
Ms Cook described the decision as “an important win for Bonner and communities across Queensland”.
