Regional communities across Northern Victoria deserve clear answers on what has changed since the devastating floods of 2022, The Nationals’ Member for Northern Victoria has told Parliament.
Ms Broad said Northern Victoria covered almost half the state and many communities have experienced the devastating impacts of floods, fires and other natural disasters.
Ms Broad was a member of the parliamentary inquiry into the 2022 Victorian floods and highlighted Recommendation 73, which called on the Victorian Government to report back to Parliament on progress in implementing the inquiry’s recommendations.
“I ask the minister to provide an update, as many communities, like Rochester, have been left to wonder what has changed,” she said.
Ms Broad also called on the Minister for Emergency Services to respond to the parliamentary committee’s inquiry into the 2026 summer fires before the end of the current parliamentary term.
In addition, she raised concerns about proposed 50–50 cost-sharing Commonwealth disaster management reforms, noting a submission from Gannawarra Shire Council seeking assurances that rural and regional communities will not be disadvantaged by changes to Australia’s disaster recovery arrangements.
“When disaster strikes, regional communities cannot do it alone,” Ms Broad said.
“Recovery depends on communities, but it also depends on governments providing the support, resources and co-ordination needed to recover and rebuild.
“Regional Victorians deserve confidence that the lessons from past disasters are being acted on and not abandoned when disaster strikes again.
‘We need community-enabled recovery, and that relies upon government support.’
