In response to largest bushfire emergency Australia has witnessed, a National Bushfire Recovery Agency has been formed by the federal government. An initial $2 billion has been allocated for a national bushfire recovery fund in order to coordinate a national response to rebuild communities and livelihoods after the devastating fire-front has passed.
The National Bushfire Recovery Agency will act as a central coordinating agency to support the recovery and rebuilding after such devastation within each state and territory government. The agency will deal with many different support measures including addressing mental health concerns and co-ordinating disaster relief payments, including those made to small businesses and local councils.
The Prime Minister said,
“While the immediate focus for our emergency services and the Australian Defence Force is keeping people safe and defending against the fires hitting so many areas, we also need to be ready to hit the ground in communities where the fire-front has passed to help them rebuild.
“The Agency will ensure the work of state and territory governments is being supported and act as a ‘one stop shop’ central team to coordinate the response. We will do whatever it takes.”
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the initial $2 billion investment for the Agency and its recovery work would be on top of the existing disaster recovery payments and allowances which have so far seen more than $100 million worth of assistance flowing through to families, small businesses and farmers.
“An unprecedented joint effort with the states, territories and local government will be required to assist with the recovery, rebuilding and future resilience of these communities,” the Treasurer said.
“Our initial $2 billion investment help to get communities back on their feet by assisting with restocking and replenishing, rebuilding roads and telecommunications infrastructure, mental health support, attracting tourists back to the regions and helping restore the local environment and impacted wildlife.”
The Agency will be led by former AFP Commissioner, Andrew Colvin and will be modelled off the North Queensland Livestock Industry Recovery Agency established following the 2019 North Queensland floods, as well as the experience of the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority created after the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.
The Agency’s key tasks include:
- Build on the effective working relationships with state, territory and local governments, including their recovery and reconstruction bodies, and to work with stakeholders in bushfire affected communities, and relevant Commonwealth agencies to inform and integrate recovery and rebuild activities
- Ensuring affected communities have ready access to meaningful support and all available services
- Providing advice and recommendations to Government on the economic and social impacts of bushfire on affected communities, in consultation with relevant agencies across all levels of government;
- Developing and coordinating the delivery of a long-term plan for the recovery, rebuild and resilience of bushfire affected communities
Minister for Natural Disaster and Emergency Management David Littleproud said he was determined to have the agency deliver local solutions by locals.
‘I want it to be a local recovery, it can’t be done from Canberra. It has to be done at a local level and Andrew will be tasked with getting out there on the road, sitting around halls, town halls, kitchen tables, talking to people, understanding.
There’ll be whole-of-government responses and programs, but we also want to empower the local community through local governments.
They are the ones that are connected more gradually to these communities. It’s important that we empower them to help in that recovery and making sure that the money that the Australian taxpayers are putting out, are investing in this process, the process of recovery and rebuilding of these lives is done appropriately.
Funding for the Agency is in addition to the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements that have been activated in all bushfire affected areas already, with $25 million in Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment and Disaster Recovery Allowance flowing to communities. The funding is in addition to the Australian Government’s support for Volunteer firefighters who are eligible for up to $6,000 per person to provide for lost income.
There has been some criticism from members of the communities affected by the fires saying the disaster recovery payments are either inadequate or there are many situations people are finding themselves in that do not meet the requirements or eligibility for these payments. This is a similar complaint when it comes to accessing income protection insurance, people who have volunteered or have been displaced from their homes may not be sick or injured so therefore do not qualify for the payment. This would seem to be the next hurdle when it comes to recovery and rebuilding, the assessment of individual circumstances and how to pass on donated funds to those who need it most. Undoubtedly there will be close scrutiny over the coming months not only with the agency itself but also those managing the overwhelming task of dispersing donated funds.
People affected by the bushfires can claim disaster payments by calling Services Australia (Centrelink) on 180 22 66 and find more information at www.humanservices.gov.au/disaster. As soon as it is safe to do so, Mobile Service Centres will head into affected regions to assist with all Government payment services, including disaster payments.
Be the first to comment