Rural Councils Victoria is calling on the next Federal Government to appoint a special minister who has the power to mitigate, manage and plan the recovery from the natural disasters that are increasingly affecting Australia.
Rural Councils Victoria Chair Cr Mary-Ann Brown said:
“The new minister for disaster mitigation, management and recovery should have a place in Cabinet and the resources necessary to carry out the job properly, including long-term planning.”
“In recent years we have seen floods and bushfires devastate communities and families across Australia, with predictions that such disasters are only going to become more frequent and more damaging.”
“Adequate investment in mitigation and prevention is essential but management of disasters as they occur is also vital as is a properly planned recovery from disaster.”
“The new ministry should have the resources and powers to engage in long-term planning, community consultation and bring together all aspects needed for mitigation, management and recovery.”
“Increasingly, natural disasters will directly impact rural Victorian economies and communities, where the effects include:
“We also call on the incoming government to commit to the full and rapid adoption of the recommendations in the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements (2020) for an integrated approach between all three levels of Government to emergency mitigation and the management of natural disasters and climate events.”