Senator the Hon Murray Watt

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Minister for Emergency Management

Anne Stanley MP

Government Whip

Member for Werriwa

New Disaster Funding Review to Benefit Werriwa

Werriwa is set to benefit from a new independent review into Australia’s disaster funding arrangements, which the Albanese Government has commissioned.

The review will ensure government investment in disaster funding is fit‑for‑purpose and effective in the face of increasingly frequent and more severe natural disasters.

It will also take forward the work the Government is already doing with the states and territories to review the jointly-funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

The Review will be led by Mr Andrew Colvin APM OAM, a partner at Deloitte, who previously helmed national recovery efforts after the 2019-20 Black Summer Bushfires.

Mr Colvin has considerable experience with disaster response and recovery, having led the National Bushfire Recovery Agency (NBRA) from January 2020 to May 2021. Prior to this he was the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police and a serving officer for 30 years.

Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt, said under Mr Colvin’s leadership, the Review will consider how government investment in disaster risk reduction, preparedness, response, recovery and resilience can better support a national system. It will also look at what will be needed to build resilience to the extreme disaster events Australia is projected to experience over the coming decades.

Werriwa is no stranger to natural disasters, so we need a system that best supports communities before, during and following a disaster,” Minister Watt said.

“Work is already well underway to improve federal government investment in mitigation projects, to tackle the root cause of climate change-led disasters and to overhaul our disaster response through the creation of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

“This Review is the next step in ensuring the Albanese Government is doing everything we can to wisely invest in measures that will protect Australians from disasters and support them when they strike.

Ms Anne Stanley MP said there will be an opportunity for local Council, community groups, charities and businesses to take part in the review.

“We know communities are best placed to tell us what is and isn’t working within the disaster funding system,” Ms Stanley said.

“Those impacted by disasters, including community groups, businesses and charities, will be encouraged to have their say through an extensive consultation process.”

A final report is expected to be provided to Government in April 2024.

Media Contact:

Anne Stanley MP - (02) 8783 0977