LGAQ President Mark Jamieson met with Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Counter Terrorism, Michael Keenan in Canberra this week to refute the Governments claim that plant and equipment costs have never been eligible for reimbursements following a natural disaster; a decision by the government which saw QLD councils faced with $7.5 million of costs following disasters in 2013-2014.
The LGAQ advised the government that prior to 2010, plant and equipment costs were reimbursed under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) and that the decision by Emergency Management Australia to retrospectively apply a new guideline in 2014 to no longer reimburse plant and equipment costs following disaster events was both unprecedented and left councils with an unnecessary financial burden.
Whilst plant, equipment and day labour will be included in the new model, due to commence mid-2018, Queensland councils require certainty through immediate interim arrangements.
After meeting with a number of senators and MPs, including long time supporter of the cause, Liberal Senator Ian Macdonald, LGAQ President Mark Jamieson said it was evident there was considerable support and consensus that councils had been negatively affected, however the key decisions will be made by Minister Michael Keenan.
'Minister Keenan appreciated the challenge those councils face ... whilst he will be guided by advice he receives from his department I believe we made a strong case on behalf of our 34 councils; the guidelines were poorly communicated and councils strongly believed they were taking the right actions at the time,' he said.
Following his meeting with Minister Keenan, Cr Jamieson met with Queensland Federal Labor Senator Anthony Chisholm who made a subsequent decision to speak about the issue in the Senate on Tuesday. The Senator highlighted the LGAQ's work on the issue and the effect the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements had upon councils.
'Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements … are having a large impact, particularly on regional and rural councils in Queensland. I acknowledge the advocacy of the President of the Local Government Association of Queensland, the Mayor of the Sunshine Coast, Cr Jamieson, who has been in Canberra and has been meeting with Queensland senators and encouraging them to put pressure on the government to take action on an area where they have been neglectful,' he said.
When contacted for comment, a spokesperson for Minister Michael Keenan said,'The Minister for Justice had a constructive meeting with Local Government Association of Queensland President, Mark Jamieson earlier this week. The Minister looks forward to continuing discussions.'