Rob Mitchell, McEwen MHR

McEwen MHR Rob Mitchell advises that, if elected, a Labor
Government will invest up to $200 million every year on disaster prevention and resilience.

By investing in disaster prevention projects such as evacuation shelters, fire breaks and telecommunications improvements, Labor’s Disaster Ready Fund will curb the devastating impacts of natural disasters, he says.

“Our local communities have faced significant natural disasters over many years, with devastating loss of life. They are coming all too frequently and we know firsthand the tragic impact of fires and storms in our region.

“Local people know what is needed and we need a government that is prepared to stump up and pay for these essential projects.

“These investments will literally save lives, not to mention the taxpayers’ funds that have t o be spent on recovery and repairs when disasters hit,” Mr Mitchell said.

“We will do this by revamping the failed $4.7 billion Emergency Response Fund, which has earned the Morrison Government over $750 million in interest, but has not built a single disaster prevention project and has not spent a cent on disaster recovery.”

Mr Mitchell said the Morrison Government’s Emergency Response Fund was established in April 2019 and became operational in December the same year allowing the government to draw up to $200 million annually for disaster recovery and resilience.

Now in the third disaster season since the ERF was announced, where up to $600 million could have been spent on disaster recovery and prevention we find as of November 23, only $17.2 million has been expended from this fund and as of June 30, the ERF has earned $751 million for the government in investment returns.

“It is just another huge example of the Morrison Government making promises and not delivering,” Mr Mitchell said.

He said Labor’s Plan for Disaster Readiness will prevent and prepare for future natural disasters and will rebuild after they occur by:
• significantly increasing Federal investment in disaster prevention and resilience by revamping the Morrison Government’s ERF
• improving the efficiency of disaster recovery processes through co-operation with the States, Territories and disaster-prone communities by simplifying and speeding up payments to disaster victims and repairs to damaged infrastructure.
• Continue to fully fund recovery through the existing Disaster Recovery Funding arrangements.
• Assist with spiralling insurance premiums in disaster prone regions, by reducing risk of expensive damage to homes and businesses.

“The Disaster Ready Fund will curb the devastating impacts of natural disasters by investing in important disaster prevention projects. In the short term, this will create local jobs, put downward pressure on insurance premiums and assist regions in COVID recovery.

” In the long term, investing in mitigation now will save the Federal government money. It is accepted by the emergency management community that $1 invested into disaster mitigation will save $2 in disaster recovery,” Mr Mitchell said.