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| Mike Elliott Leader Australian Democrats Member of the Legislative Council |
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Legislative
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| Mike Elliott Leader Australian Democrats Member of the Legislative Council |
Parliament Index |
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The Hon. M.J. ELLIOTT: I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Treasurer, representing the Minister for Water Resources, a question about cutbacks to the Catchment Management Subsidy Scheme.
Leave granted.
The Hon. M.J. ELLIOTT: The Drainage Subsidy Scheme was established in 1967-68 to provide assistance to local government for flood mitigation works. In 1997-98, the scheme changed its name to the Catchment Management Subsidy Scheme and broadened its scope of operations. Notably, these changes to encourage a whole of catchment approach include water resource management as well as flood mitigation opportunities, and broaden the range of bodies able to apply for funding.
In fact, funding for the scheme has not been adjusted for inflation and has remained at around $3.9 million per annum since 1995-96. However, I am informed that funding to the CMSS is due to be cut back this year by around 50 per cent to only $1.9 million, which will put quite a few works in the catchment areas at risk in several council areas. The Minister for Water Resources has explained that these cuts are due to an agency saving target of $900 000 and a total of $1 million being transferred to higher priority areas of water resource management. It appears with the on-set of catchment management levies that the government is trying to transfer costs from the state government to local government. My questions are:
1. Does the minister agree that broadening the scope of the CMSS and the inclusion of a wider range of organisations eligible to apply for funding should see an increase in funding to meet demand and, if not, why not?
2. Will the minister explain why flood prevention initiatives, among others, are the target of agency cost cutting?
The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer): I will refer the honourable member's question to the minister and bring back a reply.
