Review to examine equity of disaster recovery funding 

Commonwealth-State/Territory Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements are to be reviewed to ensure that assistance under the program is fair and equitable.

The review will examine how each state applies the DRFA and whether the program should be adjusted to deliver more equitable, needs-based, assistance for all Australians, regardless of where they live.

Emergency management ministers agreed to the review this week.

Federal Emergency Management Minister David Littleproud said: “The devastating 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires affected multiple states at the same time, however different types and levels of assistance were provided across each state.

“Affected communities rightly expect that governments will act quickly following a disaster and provide recovery assistance as soon as possible.

“The review will examine whether any parts of the current arrangements can be streamlined so that governments can respond quicker and more effectively to community recovery needs.”

Emergency Management Ministers have also agreed that the review will look at how DRFA funding can be better used to make damaged infrastructure more resilient through the rebuilding process.

“This has been successfully done in Queensland, with public infrastructure being built back better so that it can withstand the impacts of future disasters,” Mr Littleproud said.