Inquiry launched into Qld floods disaster

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has launched an independent Commission of Inquiry into
the state's unprecedented flood disaster as the death toll reached 20.
Ms Bligh said the inquiry, which would cost about $15 million, would have the full
powers of a royal commission and would provide an interim report in August.
The final report would be required in 12 months' time.
"Given the scale of the devastation and the tragedy of the last four weeks I believe
this matter now needs to be thoroughly and totally forensically examined so that we
can understand better how these events unfolded," Ms Bligh told reporters on Monday.
"... we need to honour those who have tragically lost their lives in this
catastrophe and we need that by learning the lessons of the event."
Ms Bligh announced the inquiry as she revealed the death toll from the floods had
risen to 20.
She said a body was discovered in Grantham on Monday morning and a man who was found
in a vehicle at Ipswich last week had died of flood-related causes.
More than 10 people remained missing.
The commission will be headed by Justice Cate Holmes.
She will be aided by two deputy commissioners in former Queensland police
commissioner Jim O'Sullivan and dam expert Phil Cummins.
Ms Bligh said the commission would look at issues such the immediate response and
management of authorities to flooding and the restoration of services and the water
release strategies of Wivenhoe and Somerset dams.
The adequacy of forecasts and warning systems, particularly in relation to what
happened in the Lockyer Valley area, would also be examined.
So too would the performance of private insurers in meeting claims.
The commissioners said they looked forward to providing answers to all those
affected by the incredible event.
"Having followed the flooding events of December 2010 and January 2011 with
incredulity and sorrow, we recognise the great importance of the task entrusted to
us," they said in a joint statement.
"Those events have affected the lives of all Queenslanders, in many cases
catastrophically.
"In the course of the inquiry, we will listen to the concerns of those affected, and
will make our best efforts to provide answers to the many questions raised in the
terms of reference and to propose means of reducing the state's vulnerability to
such events in the future."
Ms Bligh said it was expected the inquiry would visit all places inundated in
previous weeks where it would hold public hearings and question residents, emergency
service personnel and other experts.
She said the inquiry would provide answers needed to ensure the rebuild was done in
the best possible way.
"The government wants exactly the same thing as Queenslanders do out of this:
Answers to reasonable and legitimate questions," the premier said.
"...if there are big lessons here, we need to learn them as quick as possible
because one thing we know for absolute certain (is) there will be other major
weather events causing flooding in Brisbane, in Queensland, and in our regions."
No date has yet been set for when the inquiry will begin.



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