10 January 2013

Anna Bligh-era floods committee dumped

Former Labor Minister for Agriculture,
Food and Regional Economies and now
Acting Opposition Leader Tim Mulherin.

THE Newman Government has dumped a Cabinet committee that was established after the flood disaster to ensure the multibillion-dollar recovery effort remained on track.

Acting Opposition Leader Tim Mulherin said the flood recovery Cabinet committee, established by former premier Anna Bligh, had been meeting on a monthly basis with Senator Joe Ludwig, the federal minister assisting on Queensland's flood recovery.

But the meetings ceased following the election of the LNP Government.

"The absence of these meetings is yet more evidence of the Newman Government's twisted priorities," Mr Mulherin said.

However Acting Premier Jeff Seeney said the committee was an initiative of the former Labor government he had no intention of continuing.

"There's lots of things that they used to do that I've got no intention of emulating," he said.

Senator Ludwig said he had sent a letter to Mr Seeney last month, highlighting the importance of the Cabinet committee in a bid to restart the meetings.

"This cabinet Committee forms an important oversight role in the reconstruction of Queensland and is mentioned explicitly in our National Partnership Agreement for Natural Disaster Reconstruction and Recovery," he wrote.

"This cabinet-level committee is designed to continue to provide the oversight necessary to ensure reconstruction remains on track."

But Senator Ludwig said the State had not reconvened the committee "despite being repeatedly asked hold it".

DMr Seeney said the government was working with the Queensland Reconstruction Authority to ensure the reconstruction effort remained on track and he believed it was working well.

"We meet with the Federal Government on a semi-regular basis as the Ministers visit Queensland," he said.

Mr Seeney attacked the Commonwealth for not stumping up funds for the State's Floodplain Security Scheme.

A spokesman for Federal Attorney-General Nicola Roxon described the scheme as "an unfunded election promise of Premier Newman " said said there was never a Commonwealth promise to fund it.
 
 
10.1.13