‘Not his problem’: Qld claims ‘insult’ after PM rejects $741m flood request

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has rejected a request from the Queensland government to jointly fund a $741 million flood recovery package, in what the state has described as an “election-eve insult” to flood victims.

In a letter to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk late on Tuesday, seen by this masthead, Mr Morrison said such important programs were traditionally a local or state responsibility and therefore “outside the scope” of the federal Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

The stoush between the states and federal government after recent flooding has emerged as a political flashpoint.Credit: Getty Images

But the state has pointed to the National Recovery and Resilience Agency, established by the Commonwealth last year with an initial $600 million to support community and residential resilience programs such as cyclone-proofing homes and building levees, as an alternative.

“Less than three weeks ago, the Premier wrote to the Prime Minister, asking him to hear the call of flood victims and help fund a $741 million residential recovery package,” acting premier Cameron Dick said in a statement.

“Last night, Scott Morrison responded, saying it’s not his problem.

“He has decided he doesn’t need flood victims to vote for him, so he has nothing to offer them.”

The stoush between the states and federal government over flood recovery and resilience has emerged as a flashpoint in the looming election campaign.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet announced this week his state government would go it alone on $112 million in cash handouts for uninsured flood victims, after flare-ups over electorate-based support on both sides of the Tweed and repeated calls for the Queensland funds.

In a press conference on Wednesday morning, Mr Dick confirmed the state would continue the program without federal support, despite it being a “national responsibility”. However, he added that “the money just won’t get as far”.

The Insurance Council of Australia has backed the state’s request.

Campaigning in Sydney, Mr Morrison responded by saying the programs were “all Queensland responsibilities” and that he didn’t think people were interested in the “politicking between state governments having a crack at the federal government when it comes to flood response”.

The initial request to Mr Morrison, sent by Ms Palaszczuk on March 19, noted the Commonwealth’s agreement to an earlier recovery grants package. It sought a 50/50 funding split for a $771 million exceptional circumstances package under category D disaster recovery arrangements.

A total of $741 million of this was to fund a “resilient residential recovery package” to help the almost 7000 Queenslanders whose homes had been badly damaged. Options under this package would include a state buyback of up to 500 high-risk properties, and the retrofitting or raising of another 6500 homes.

A further $30 million was sought for an expanded clean-up package.

Responding to the letter on Tuesday, Mr Morrison said the resilience package included “important programs that traditionally fall within the responsibilities and discretion of local and state governments and therefore outside the scope of our DRFA process”.

“These programs can and should be directly funded and delivered by the Queensland government in the same way that the Commonwealth fully funds significant elements of our own contribution,” he wrote, suggesting $80 million in leftover category B funding could go towards the effort.

Mr Morrison said the federal government would share the cost of the clean-up element and had already committed $912 million to the flood response – $632 million funded solely by the Commonwealth – through joint arrangements, disaster allowances and support to 23 councils.

He also agreed to co-fund other mitigation projects proposed under the Emergency Response Fund – except an expansion and upgrade of the state’s early flood warning network – and sought more detail on a proposed levee in Bundaberg.

Mr Dick said the levee had already gone through a design and community consultation process.

The Morning Edition newsletter is your guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.