The Prime Minister Scott Morrison has reversed his government’s decision and announced he supports splitting the cost of Queensland’s proposed multimillion-dollar flood recovery package.
Morrison told Brisbane radio 4BC this morning that there will be caveats.
“I want them [the Queensland government] to be transparent with the payments that are being made. I want them to report to the public,” he said.
The Prime Minister said that most of the Queensland government’s $741m package, which includes funding for flood-proofing homes and a property buyback program, is typically a state responsibility.
The ICA’s CEO Andrew Hall, called the decision “disappointing and short-sighted”.
“Australians – particularly those still impacted by the ongoing rain and flooding – want governments to come together to provide better protections against worsening extreme weather, not wash their hands of responsibility,” said Hall.