PM Transcripts

FOR PRESS P. M. No. 43/ 1967
QUEENSLAND FLOODS
Statement by the Acting Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon.
John McEwen
Commenting today on the floods in North Queensland, the
Acting Prime Minister said that as soon as news of the disaster was received,
the Government arranged for Commonwealth officials to keep in close touch
with the Premier's Department in Queensland so that it could be kept fully
informed of developments. At the same time, requests for assistance were
received by the Services which did all they aould to assist those affected
by the flooding. The Acting Prime Minister said that in accordance with the
constitutional division of responsibilities, the provision of relief following
natural disasters is a matter which falls within the province of the States.
However, in recognition of the need on humanitarian grounds to take special
action for the quick alleviation of individual cases of hardship, sudCessive
Commonwealth Governments have adopted the policy of assisting State
Governments in the financing of relief schemes where the damage has beefl
severe or widespread, but the initiative in setting up these schemes rests
with the State concerned. The Commonwealth participates at the request of
the State and on the basis of matching the amount of money which the StateI
customarily makes available.
Mr. McEwen said that a telegram had been received from the
Premier of Queensland on 17th March, requesting Commonwealth financial
assistance and the Prime Minister telegraphed in reply to the effect that the
Commonwealth is prepared to participate with the State on the customary
dollar for dollar basis for the relief of personal hardship. When the Queens
lard Government has forwarded an assessment of damage done to other assets,
the Commonwealth will give prompt consideration to the question of assistance
to the State to help in financing the restoration of those assets.
Referring to suggestions that had been made in some quarters
that the Commonwealth Government had acted promptly to assist in
rehabilitation of the bushfire devastated area in Tasmania but had remained
silent about the Queensland floods, Mr. McEwen emphasised that the Commonwealth
does not enter into this field of State administration unless it is asked
to do so by the Premier of the State. The help which the Commonwealth gave
to Tasmania followed the request from the Premier of that State. When the
assessment by the Queensland Government of the damage done by the
Queensland floods has been received, the Commonwealth Government will
give it the same quick consideration that it did in respect of the request
which it received from Tasmania.
CANBERRA, 29th March, 1967.