Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has indicated that the government is considering a dedicated reserve force to assist with natural disaster recovery, as flooding continues to affect Victoria and Queensland. At least 26 homes have been inundated in Victoria, with 61 emergency warnings still in place on Tuesday afternoon.
Speaking on ABC Brisbane, Albanese said the Australian Defence Force remains a vital asset but that flexibility is needed. "Tragically, in this beautiful country of ours, natural disasters are becoming more frequent and more intense," he said, linking the trend directly to climate change. He noted that the science predicted more extreme weather events, which are now being observed across Australia.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, who visited flood-hit Seymour, echoed the need for a rethink. She said climate change has made once-in-100-year flood events now occur multiple times in a decade, affecting communities like Rochester. Allan emphasised the importance of transitioning to renewable energy and reconsidering where new housing is built.
Albanese announced additional funding for flood-affected areas in Queensland and is scheduled to travel to Victoria on Wednesday. Meanwhile, a parliamentary inquiry is investigating the role of the ADF in natural disaster recovery, and the Department of Defence has proposed an internal force dedicated to national crisis response.
Federal Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt defended the Bureau of Meteorology's El Niño declaration, stating that heavy rain during an El Niño cycle is not unusual and has been observed in parts of the country.
