PM tips in an extra $26m for Qld flood recovery as Crisafulli slams ‘outdated’ tech

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced another $26 million in funding for Far North Queensland amid a significant rain event, bringing the total to $66 million.

The announcement follows days of criticism from Premier David Crisafulli, who said outdated systems meant those in the community were sitting ducks during extreme weather.

Speaking from Clermont – where flash flooding wiped out 50,000 head of cattle and triggered a number of swift-water emergency rescues – the prime minister said state governments and local councils were responsible for their infrastructure, but that the government has committed significant funding to help them.

Anthony Albanese announces $26 million in funding for Far North Queensland following recent damaging downpours.

More than $200 million has been allocated by the federal government over 10 years to upgrade rain gauges, rain towers, warning signs and cameras, Albanese said.

“The operational questions are best directed to the Bureau [of Meteorology],” he said. “At the moment, local councils and state government agencies own the majority of flood gauges.

“They’re responsible for their own infrastructure, but that’s why we have established this fund.

“We are putting $236 million we have on the table over 10 years.

“I have a good working relationship with the premier, David Crisafulli. I don’t seek to politicise any of these issues. We will work constructively; just like today, we’re announcing working constructively with [the local council].”

Earlier this week, Crisafulli blamed the federal BoM’s flood gauge system and radar coverage for failing to provide sufficient information during flooding disasters.

Crisafulli has repeatedly criticised the bureau’s radar range and communication tools throughout the wet season, initially labelling the service as flawed when south-east Queensland residents were caught off guard by severe storms in October.

Inland floodwaters in north Queensland, where flash flooding has triggered a number of swift-water rescues.

On Tuesday, he said outdated rain gauges and stretched radar coverage in remote regions meant residents were sitting ducks during disasters.

“In many cases, you’ve got areas where you’ve got two radars so far apart that you’ve got areas that aren’t covered,” Crisafulli said.

“It hasn’t had the investment in facilities, and you wouldn’t cop it if it was in a capital city.

“There is no world that says if there was a couple of streets in Sydney or Melbourne where they weren’t given information that could put them in harm’s way, that that wouldn’t be fixed by lunchtime – that’s the truth.”

Crisafulli said the blame did not lie with the bureau but with a lack of investment in resources for Far North Queensland dating back multiple federal governments.

“Information is the difference between life and death, and communities are flying blind because there hasn’t been the investment in things like rain gauges and, in many places, radar to warn of the impending danger,” he said.

The new federal funding will also go towards the primary producers support package, extraordinary disaster recovery assistance grants, the mental health recovery program, and immediate recovery needs for Isaac Regional Council.

Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain said the impacts of the recent flooding were not yet fully known, but the federal government would help with additional assistance if required.

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