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186534
Sun, 06/05/2011 - 13:53
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http://m.oananews.org//node/186534
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Qld disaster bill blows out by $1 billion
It's been a day of balancing the budget for Queensland's disaster recovery, with the damage bill swelling by another $1 billion and a new promise to pay out most of the controversial Premier's Appeal by August.
Treasurer Andrew Fraser says the rebuilding cost is now expected to top $6.8 billion, $1 billion more than expected.
Mr Fraser said the increase was largely due to new estimates from councils that predict they'll need more than $2.7 billion for repairs, $900 million more than initially forecast.
"Such a big damage bill underlines the enormity of the task ahead," the treasurer said, adding that it would put a strain on the upcoming budget.
Queensland would be liable for a total rebuilding cost of $1.8 billion under shared funding arrangements with the federal government.
The state government will fund its share through the $1.83 billion lease of the Abbot Point Coal Terminal, which was part of the asset sales program.
Meanwhile, the government has also set a timeline to pay out the majority of the $265 million Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal.
So far there have been three rounds of payments, seeing $100 million given to more than 30,000 victims.
As part of the plan to empty out the fund, Premier Anna Bligh announced that new funding arrangements would be introduced closer to the deadline.
Ms Bligh said the arrangements would include an immediate payment of up to $30,000 to households that had already been approved for round two payments, and $10,000 would be handed to those who'd already been successful in round three.
If there's still money left in the kitty, the 30,000 Queenslanders who've received some form of payment from the fund would get more money.
The value of these proposed payments will be announced in early July.
"As we enter winter it is particularly important that people feel they can afford to properly heat their homes, eat properly and look after their families," Ms Bligh said in a statement.
Donations to the fund after June 30 will be allocated to the St Vincent de Paul Society to help victims.
The government has been criticised by the opposition Liberal National Party (LNP) for the speed at which payments have been made, although Ms Bligh has argued it is important to wait for all victims to lodge their claims before money is exhausted.
LNP leader Campbell Newman doubts the government will be able to meet the new deadline.
"I don't think Queenslanders believe the deadline, Queenslanders are sick and tired of not dealing with this issue," Mr Newman told reporters in Brisbane.
"Based on the progress to date, sadly it will be into the new year until the money has gone out."
Treasurer Andrew Fraser says the rebuilding cost is now expected to top $6.8 billion, $1 billion more than expected.
Mr Fraser said the increase was largely due to new estimates from councils that predict they'll need more than $2.7 billion for repairs, $900 million more than initially forecast.
"Such a big damage bill underlines the enormity of the task ahead," the treasurer said, adding that it would put a strain on the upcoming budget.
Queensland would be liable for a total rebuilding cost of $1.8 billion under shared funding arrangements with the federal government.
The state government will fund its share through the $1.83 billion lease of the Abbot Point Coal Terminal, which was part of the asset sales program.
Meanwhile, the government has also set a timeline to pay out the majority of the $265 million Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal.
So far there have been three rounds of payments, seeing $100 million given to more than 30,000 victims.
As part of the plan to empty out the fund, Premier Anna Bligh announced that new funding arrangements would be introduced closer to the deadline.
Ms Bligh said the arrangements would include an immediate payment of up to $30,000 to households that had already been approved for round two payments, and $10,000 would be handed to those who'd already been successful in round three.
If there's still money left in the kitty, the 30,000 Queenslanders who've received some form of payment from the fund would get more money.
The value of these proposed payments will be announced in early July.
"As we enter winter it is particularly important that people feel they can afford to properly heat their homes, eat properly and look after their families," Ms Bligh said in a statement.
Donations to the fund after June 30 will be allocated to the St Vincent de Paul Society to help victims.
The government has been criticised by the opposition Liberal National Party (LNP) for the speed at which payments have been made, although Ms Bligh has argued it is important to wait for all victims to lodge their claims before money is exhausted.
LNP leader Campbell Newman doubts the government will be able to meet the new deadline.
"I don't think Queenslanders believe the deadline, Queenslanders are sick and tired of not dealing with this issue," Mr Newman told reporters in Brisbane.
"Based on the progress to date, sadly it will be into the new year until the money has gone out."
