The Local Government Association of Queensland has backed former Gillard Government minister Robert McClelland’s call for a smarter approach to funding communities affected by natural disasters.
LGAQ President Paul Bell said Mr. McClelland was right to question if handing out $1000 relief payments to people after the disaster had passed was the right approach by the Federal Government.
Mr. Bell suggests upfront investment in infrastructure that offered better protection from natural disasters might mean fewer victims.
“I think we have got to start asking why taxpayers should be forced to foot a multi-billion dollar bill for disaster recovery while governments continue to play down the fact that better investment in preparing for such events saves money,” Cr Bell said.
“Robert McClelland is effectively saying we have to start learning the real lessons that Mother Nature keeps dealing out to us.”
“I can only agree.”concluded Mr. Bell.
