4 years ago
LABOR SECURES CLIMATE ADAPTATION FUNDING
MARK BUTLER MP
Labor has secured $50 million per year for communities to get on the front foot and invest in climate adaptation infrastructure.
Labor’s Senate Inquiry into the Emergency Response Fund Bill highlighted the need for extra funding to help protect communities from the impacts of natural disaster before the disaster hits.
In their submission Suncorp Australia said, “As a major insurer, Suncorp is concerned that Australian communities are becoming more vulnerable due to the physical impacts of a changing climate. With the risk of physical impact increasing alongside the economic impact of natural disasters, bringing forward investment into prevention is now urgent.”
We welcome the Government coming on board with Labor and the Senate Inquiry’s strong recommendation for additional climate adaptation funding.
The extra $50 million per year will be dedicated to improving disaster preparedness by funding a range of risk reduction works, and is a 33 per cent increase in the size of funds available for this type of investment. This is appropriate in light of advice from the Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO that climate change is leading to more frequent and intense natural disasters in Australia.
These new funds could be used to pay for flood levees, sea walls, fire breaks and other infrastructure. This would reduce the financial, physical and emotional toll of future disasters on residents, businesses and taxpayers.
Scott Morrison’s Government is still far from delivering any substantial climate adaptation policy. After being established by Labor in 2008, the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF) has been completely defunded by the Liberals.
Labor’s Senate Inquiry into the Emergency Response Fund Bill highlighted the need for extra funding to help protect communities from the impacts of natural disaster before the disaster hits.
In their submission Suncorp Australia said, “As a major insurer, Suncorp is concerned that Australian communities are becoming more vulnerable due to the physical impacts of a changing climate. With the risk of physical impact increasing alongside the economic impact of natural disasters, bringing forward investment into prevention is now urgent.”
We welcome the Government coming on board with Labor and the Senate Inquiry’s strong recommendation for additional climate adaptation funding.
The extra $50 million per year will be dedicated to improving disaster preparedness by funding a range of risk reduction works, and is a 33 per cent increase in the size of funds available for this type of investment. This is appropriate in light of advice from the Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO that climate change is leading to more frequent and intense natural disasters in Australia.
These new funds could be used to pay for flood levees, sea walls, fire breaks and other infrastructure. This would reduce the financial, physical and emotional toll of future disasters on residents, businesses and taxpayers.
Scott Morrison’s Government is still far from delivering any substantial climate adaptation policy. After being established by Labor in 2008, the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF) has been completely defunded by the Liberals.