Queensland must get its fair share of disaster funding
RACQ CEO David Carter said the Club welcomed the Federal Government’s commitment to increase its disaster mitigation funding to $200 million a year.
“This commitment finally acts on a landmark Productivity Commission report from 2015 which found Australia is dangerously exposed to natural disasters due to a significant lack of investment in mitigation,” Mr Carter said.
“Prevention is better than a cure, yet for years we’ve seen underinvestment which has left many Queensland communities unprotected from this growing disaster risk.
“For every taxpayer dollar spent on natural disasters, 97 cents is spent on recovery, leaving just three cents on prevention and preparedness.
“It’s an unsustainable equation that has put enormous pressure on insurance costs and held many regional economies back.”
While RACQ welcomes the Disaster Ready Fund, the Club also calls on states and territories to match the funding.
“As the east coast prepares for a third consecutive La Nina this summer, Queensland faces the brunt of increased climate impacts,” Mr Carter said.
“It’s only sensible and fair that Queensland receives significant support from this Fund to better protect our communities against this threat.”