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Natural disaster funding open to public debate

The Productivity Commission will next week host a series of public hearings on its interim report into natural disaster funding.

The meetings will be held in Sydney next Monday, Melbourne on Tuesday, Townsville on Thursday and Brisbane on Friday.

Commissioners Karen Chester and Jonathan Coppel will conduct the sessions.

The commission’s report recommends that federal natural disaster funding be capped at a cost-sharing rate of 50%. Canberra currently covers up to 75% of relief and recovery costs.

It also says the Federal Government should gradually increase its funding to states and territories for mitigation from $40 million a year to $200 million, placing the onus on them to manage risks.

Submissions to the inquiry close tomorrow. The final report is due in December.

Register for the meetings here.