Helen Haines (Indi, Independent) | Link to this | Hansard source

Six months ago, communities in my electorate were absolutely devastated by two fires that destroyed more than 300 homes and burnt hundreds of thousands of hectares. The impacts on the municipalities of Strathbogie, Murrindindi and Towong were severe. It was described in the media as an 'apocalyptic inferno' with scenes of 'utter devastation', and entire communities were left unrecognisable. But, because the smoke didn't linger, the national attention moved on quickly. For those communities, however, cleaning up, rebuilding and recovering is a long, painful and difficult road.

I've spoken too much about disaster in this place because for my communities it's not a blip; it's a severe threat most bushfire seasons. In recent months, I've spent time in the affected communities, working with local government in the aftermath, and I've made a submission to the Victorian government's inquiry into bushfires. I've taken what I've heard directly from fire affected communities to the federal government and developed a practical plan to improve how we prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters. I'm also part of an inquiry into the financial sustainability of local governments, which is hearing consistently that the impact of disasters is one of the greatest pressures local governments face.

Councils in my electorate navigate complex and, at times, infuriating disaster recovery funding arrangements. I've heard from councils time and time again that the DRFA is hard to navigate, with bureaucratic complexity placing significant additional strain and stress on already stretched local councils. So when the government proposed changes to the disaster recovery funding arrangements—which they say will be simpler, fairer and faster—that was welcome news. But it's clear that we need more detail about what these changes mean in practice for communities, councils and state governments. We're already hearing concern from other parts of the country. In Queensland, communities are highly agitated about these changes, worried that they may in fact be worse off. Their concerns must be taken seriously, particularly as disasters are more frequent and severe.

In my electorate of Indi, fire affected communities want to know what this will mean for the next time disaster strikes. Will councils have to pay more? What emergency support can residents rely on? Will the rules around eligibility be easier to navigate? And, crucially for these communities, can they build back better, or will we continue repeating the mistakes of the past?

I'll be meeting with the Minister for Emergency Management in coming weeks to discuss these proposed changes, and I will continue to stand up for my communities to ensure we are better prepared, better supported and better able to recover from the next fire or flood. It's what our communities deserve and what we must deliver.