Disaster Relief Australia has welcomed a three-year funding commitment from the Federal Opposition.
The commitment of $64.5 million from a future Dutton-Littleproud Government provides the veteran-led volunteer organisation certainty to build on its existing capabilities, increase volunteer numbers and develop and deliver disaster preparedness programs in at-risk communities to enhance resilience, increase speed of response and lower recovery costs.
Disaster Relief Australia Chief Executive Officer, David Smith AM, CSC, DSM said the funding will allow the organisation to continue to establish itself as an essential element of the nation’s disaster relief and recovery capability and enhance support to communities impacted by disasters, including floods, bushfires and cyclones.
“With funding comes assurance that Disaster Relief Australia can continue to leverage the skills and experience of our veteran-led workforce to reduce reliance on the Australian Defence Force (ADF) in the disaster recovery space.”
He added: “Disaster Relief Australia’s volunteer deployment model is a proven and sustainable capability that makes a significant difference in the disaster preparedness and recovery landscape.
“As we have demonstrated throughout our ongoing collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency, state agencies, and other government organisations, Disaster Relief Australia successfully ensures that the transition from the response to recovery phase of a disaster is increasingly expedient and seamless.”
Mr Smith added that this new funding will also enable the organisation to build on its disaster preparedness capability and help more vulnerable communities prepare for and mitigate the risk of disaster.
The three-year commitment allows Disaster Relief Australia to further support veterans as they transition out of military to deliver on its important mission to provide purpose through continued service to others.
Shadow Emergency Management Minister Senator Perin Davey, who announced the funding pledge at Disaster Relief Australia’s Brisbane-based National Operations Centre, said: “The funding announced today builds on our initial commitment of $38.3 million in 2022, matched at the time by Labor. This initial funding has enabled Disaster Relief Australia to grow to more than 5,500 volunteers thus far and gives the organisation funding certainty.”
Media Release: Disaster Relief Australia
