The independent review into Australia’s Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements
RELEASE OF COLVIN REVIEW IS JUST THE BEGINNING
The long awaited release of the final report of the Colvin Review1 is just the beginning of a process that will involve all relevant state and federal agencies to ensure Australia’s disaster funding arrangements are fair and consistent according to Shadow Emergency Management Minister, Senator Perin Davey.
The independent review into Australia’s Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (ADRFA) was launched in February 2023 with the final report handed to Government in April this year.
“We welcome the release of this report and the commitment of the Government to ensure the States are part of the ongoing process to design reforms to streamline the system, but we question why it took six months to do so,” Senator Davey said.
“We welcomed the review when it was announced as it had been five years since the Liberal and Nationals Government introduced the ADRFA in an effort to streamline processes to ensure disaster recovery funds can be distributed as quickly and efficiently as possible.
“The ADRFA has been a very effective mechanism, but we now also have five years of learning where it has worked well, where there are some challenges and where things could be improved.”
“We have also seen the establishment of the Disaster Ready Fund, which was included in this review.
“That fund, which we welcomed to help fund meaningful risk reduction, has led to some questionable funding decisions such as thermal curtains for Canberra households or willow removal along the Hobart River.
“To that end we welcome the recommendation that the Commonwealth adopt an evidence-informed, risk-based approach to disaster funding.
“By utilising federal and state risk profiles to identify priorities, we should see better utilisation of funds like those available through the DRF to ensure funded projects will actually reduce risk and therefore future response costs.
“We are all committed to reducing risk and minimising the impact of natural disasters into the future,” Senator Davey said.
1 Independent Review of Commonwealth Disaster Funding | NEMA
