Federal Nationals Member for Page Kevin Hogan has slammed the Albanese Labor Government for drastically cutting emergency management funding for Lismore and the Richmond Valley.
Mr Hogan said it is unfathomable that the latest round of Disaster Ready funding shows less than 10 per cent of the $200 million forward budget has been allocated to the region.
“We are less than 18 months out from the worst natural disaster the country has seen in half a century,” Mr Hogan said.
“The Albanese Government seems to think everything’s hunky dory here now; we’re fully recovered, and we don’t have to worry about the potential risk of another flood.
“The reality is quite the opposite. Our region is very slowly getting back on its feet and we’re still waiting to get the full picture on engineering flood solutions that offer real hope.”
Mr Hogan said the paltry amount of money allocated to the region has entirely been devoted to so-called “nature-based” flood solutions.
He said while these solutions are worthy, they offer no immediate flood protection and could take years to deliver anything of real value.
“This latest insult from Labor comes hot on the heels of the earlier budget announcement that more than $200 million of funding for emergency warning systems was to be prioritised on projects in the home state of Emergency Services Minister Senator Murray Watt,” Mt Hogan said.
“Let’s not forget Labor also devoted almost the entire budget for mobile phone black spot works to Labor-held electorates.
“Questions certainly need to be asked about Labor’s dodgy and unfair funding decisions and I will certainly be seeking answers on behalf of still-suffering and traumatized people of my electorate,” Mr Hogan said.
