PM Transcripts

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PRIME MINISTER 4' March 1981
COMMONWEALTH ASSISTANCE TO THE STATES FOR NATURAL
DISASTER RELIEF
I have written to all Premiers, and the Chief Minister of the
Northern Territory proposing that officials consult on a
review of the current arrangements for Commonwealth
assistance to the States and the Northern Territory for
natural disaster relief.
It is estimated that in 19 80/ 81 the Commonwealth will
provide more than $ 71 million under these long standing
arrangements, which help the States and the Northern Territory
meet the sometimes large and unpredictable costs of providing
natural disaster relief within their areas. The arrangements
provide for Conmoi. wealth assistance on a reasonsable cost
sharing basis in the event of major cyclones, floods, storms
bushfires or droughts.
Under the arrangements the Commonwealth meets, on a $ 1 for
$ 1 basis State expenditures on standard measures for the
immediate relief of personal hardship and distress, except
where such'expenditure is of very minor nature. State
expenditures may cover provision of emergency food, clothing
and accommodation and essential repairs to houses to make themn
habitable and secure.
The Commonwealth also provides $ 3 for each $ 1 expended by
each State beyond acertain base on other relief
and restoration measures in the case of disasters which have
a major effect on State budgets.
Commonwealth and State officials met twice, late last year
concerning the arrangements applying to drought. Those meetings
have led to the Commonwealth agreeing to requests by State
Governments for a number of new standard measures and
extensions to existing measures.
It now appears timely for a review for the total arrangements
to facilitate consideration at the June 1981 Premiers'
Conference.