LNP fails Queenslanders on flood safety funding

The Palaszczuk Labor Government is working urgently to reinstate a flood-focused road safety campaign following revelations the LNP left the vital ‘If it’s flooded, forget it’ campaign completely unfunded.

Police, Fire and Emergency Services Minister Jo-Ann Miller said she was shocked to learn the campaign, developed following the devastating 2011 floods, failed to attract a single cent of funding from the former government.

“What happened a few weeks ago in South East Queensland served as a timely reminder to all of us to heed the message of our emergency services: if it’s flooded, forget it.

“The former LNP Police Minister used to repeat the phrase over and over again – so I was deeply disturbed to learn that he did so knowing full well his government was doing nothing to actually fund the campaign.”

Minister Miller said the previous Labor Government developed the ‘If it’s flooded, forget it’ campaign as part of the $1.8 million Get Ready Queensland package which was designed to encourage residents to be prepared for natural disasters..

“Under the LNP, the campaign was split up. The responsibility for Get Ready Queensland was removed from Queensland Fire and Emergency Services – and so was the money.

“What was left was an ‘If it’s flooded, forget it’ campaign with no money to run it. Unbelievably, the LNP left the ‘If it’s flooded, forget it’ campaign completely unfunded for three years.

“It goes to show just how savage and ruthless the LNP’s cuts really were.”

Minister Miller said she was working closely with Road Safety Minister Mark Bailey to ensure a new flood-focused road safety campaign was ready to roll out before the summer storm season.

“We know you can’t just leave such a vital community safety campaign to social media and press conferences,” Minister Miller said.

“Minister Bailey and I have urgently asked our departments to work together to ensure a full, standalone flood road safety campaign will soon be back on our TV screens, across radio airwaves and on billboards across Queensland.

“In the weeks that have followed since the south east’s deluge, I have spoken to countless firies, SES and police about their experiences and they have all told me the same thing: please – stop driving through flooded roads. If it’s flooded, forget it.”

[ENDS] 19 May 2015

Media contact: Brent Davidson (Minister Miller’s Office) 0438 696 185