Attorney-General Robert McClelland says the Federal Government will accept all of the recommendations from the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry’s interim report into last summer’s floods.

The interim report features 175 recommendations, of which 34 are relevant to the Federal Government, including eight recommendations which the Commonwealth is directly responsible for. 

“Most of the report’s recommendations relevant to the Commonwealth focus on forecasts and warnings issued by the Bureau of Meteorology,” Mr McClelland says. “The bureau will work closely with the Queensland Government and local councils to improve information-sharing during flood events.”

He says councils will also be helped to establish arrangements for making localised flash- flooding alerts by providing technical expertise.

Other recommendations relate to the contribution of the Australian Defence Force to disaster planning and preparation, and the Commonwealth’s involvement in community education, aged care and essential services. 

“We will work with the Queensland Government to ensure those recommendations that need to be addressed before the start of the upcoming wet season are indeed addressed,” Mr McClelland said.

Meanwhile, the second round of hearings by the floods commission of inquiry commenced today.

This round of hearings, which will run until October 28, are to specifically examine the performance of insurance companies in meeting their claims responsibilities during and following the floods.

Hearings will be held in Brisbane, Ipswich, Gympie, Maryborough, Bundaberg and Emerald.

The Commission’s final report will be submitted to the Queensland Government in late February.