4 years ago
ONLY 1 IN 8 DOLLARS PROMISED FOR BUSHFIRE RECOVERY ACTUALLY SPENT
Murray Watt MP
New figures prove the Government is being loose with the truth on bushfire recovery support, with only one in eight dollars promised actually being delivered, months after the fires hit.
When the $2 billion National Bushfire Recovery Fund was announced in January, Prime Minister Scott Morrison claimed the funds would “be ready to hit the ground in communities where the fire-front has passed to help them rebuild.”
But in figures released today via a Senate Question on Notice, the Government has revealed it has paid out less than $260 million from its $2 billion fund.
Some of the Government’s most hyped funding pledges, including mental health assistance for schools and rural financial counselling, are yet to receive a single dollar.
The Government is now inflating its so-called bushfire spend, by including amounts “committed” but not yet paid, and by including traditional disaster assistance and other items that are not paid from its bushfire fund. These include:
When the $2 billion National Bushfire Recovery Fund was announced in January, Prime Minister Scott Morrison claimed the funds would “be ready to hit the ground in communities where the fire-front has passed to help them rebuild.”
But in figures released today via a Senate Question on Notice, the Government has revealed it has paid out less than $260 million from its $2 billion fund.
Some of the Government’s most hyped funding pledges, including mental health assistance for schools and rural financial counselling, are yet to receive a single dollar.
The Government is now inflating its so-called bushfire spend, by including amounts “committed” but not yet paid, and by including traditional disaster assistance and other items that are not paid from its bushfire fund. These include:
- Back to School Support, and Disaster Recovery Payments and Allowance - $206 million
- Operation Bushfire Assist - $50 million
- Additional Firefighting Aircraft etc - $20 million
- Compensation for Volunteer Firefighters - $10 million
Not one of these items is paid from the Prime Minister’s $2 billion fund.
Meanwhile the Minister responsible is out spruiking yet another marketing announcement today, by re-announcing the same money without actually delivering anything to bushfire affected communities.
Anybody who’s on the ground knows money is not reaching those who need it. With winter approaching, bushfire victims are still living in tents and caravans, while the Government tries to spin what it’s actually doing.
These people need action, not more marketing.
It’s time the Morrison Government actually delivered the money they promised, so that bushfire-hit communities can rebuild.
Meanwhile the Minister responsible is out spruiking yet another marketing announcement today, by re-announcing the same money without actually delivering anything to bushfire affected communities.
Anybody who’s on the ground knows money is not reaching those who need it. With winter approaching, bushfire victims are still living in tents and caravans, while the Government tries to spin what it’s actually doing.
These people need action, not more marketing.
It’s time the Morrison Government actually delivered the money they promised, so that bushfire-hit communities can rebuild.