4 minute read
Time to rethink policy around disaster assistance
BY DAN GALLIGAN, CEO, CANEGROWERS
The events that have affected almost one third of our industry over the last six weeks serve to demonstrate just how overdue it is for the start of a new conversation about disaster relief and recovery arrangements in Queensland.
The need for a fresh look goes right through the whole system. From preparedness to recovery.
We should not be surprised by natural disasters in Queensland, frequency has made us experts. Many of our systems for managing natural disaster are mature and experienced. For example the work done by individuals in local disaster management committees, volunteers – like the SES and others, emergency services and local and State Government officials, we have some of the most experienced, most professional and dedicated experts in the world.
In an attempt to support and recognise those aspects of the system that work very well industry bodies like CANEGROWERS and the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) and their members like Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers and Cotton Australia are working very hard to make sure the policy that sits behind those on the front lines is continuously improved. From forecasting disasters right through to follow up on recovery activities and services – there is room for improvement. Some recurring problems straight up just need to be fixed, particularly when we look at the fragility of our transport, power and telecommunications systems.
Our most recent focus has been on the national disaster relief and recovery arrangements deployed to assist all primary producers. These arrangement plans agreed between all States and the Federal Government combine to become the playbook for what assistance can be provided to local government, community and primary producers in the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster.
Arrangements are usually agreed just between governments in the calmer times well removed from the actual disasters. That being the case, the reality is when a disaster strikes the playbook can be modified and renegotiated, often on the basis of specific circumstances but sometimes due to the involvement of political leaders and the escalation of the public commentary. It can get messy, and this can serve to only provide confusion into an already very stressful environment.
Stability and certainty should be what sensible policy provides. As industries we have a very clear set of existing reform ideas. They include
Definition of primary producer: update this to make it reflect the contemporary nature of farm ownership, that can include off farm income from either primary or secondary partners.
Allow for replant costs to be included in recovery grant guidelines: significant progress has been made to fix this inconsistency that existed in Queensland policy.
Support for workforce needs: while personal hardship payment exists, often the challenge in rural communities is that business have to either lay off or can’t pay their staff who themselves are impacted. These means we lose the workforce who are needed more than ever at this time.
A consistent approach to recovery support services: we need to accept reality and have on the ready a pool of rural recovery officers, experts in this field, imbedded within industry and ready to support primary producers to prepare and respond to natural disasters.
It is incredibly important that these policy initiatives are consistent with the overall intent of helping farmers get back on the feet and back into business.
This is an economic imperative for farm, the local community and the industry as whole. We can see in production data just how badly and regularly natural disasters put a hand brake on our industry. The power of CANEGROWES to work with QFF and other industries to present a unified case for these changes makes a compelling point for reform.
Let's hope we get through the back end of this wet season without further disasters. But come what may, CANEGROWERS will continue to propose these policy solutions ready for the next event.
