Acting Premier Jackie Trad said it has been four weeks since the federal government made the political decision to withhold $1.1 billion in Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) payments owed to Queensland, and the state was yet to receive any formal explanation why.

“Queensland has more natural disasters than any other state, and there’s no question this money was spent in good faith to help communities get back on their feet after the devastation of Cyclone Oswald in the Bundaberg region, Cyclone Ita in North Queensland and Cyclone Marcia in Central Queensland,” she said.

“It also went towards rebuilding our iconic ferry terminals and associated public transport infrastructure destroyed during the 2011 Brisbane floods.

“The Palaszczuk Government will always stand up for Queensland’s capacity to recover from natural disasters, and we stand ready to provide any and all information the Commonwealth needs to finalise this claim as a matter of urgency.

“The Turnbull Government just needs to get on with the job, stop playing political games, and show they’re committed to Queensland and the welfare of our communities.”

Under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA), the Federal Government provides up to 75% of the funding required to respond to and recover from natural disasters, while projects are administered and delivered by state and local governments.

Queensland is leading the nation as the only state with a stand-alone agency to deliver disaster recovery with a recognised, validated process to assure NDRRA expenditure and ensure value for money.

Since its establishment in 2011, the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) has managed a program of NDRRA reconstruction works valued at more than $13 billion for natural disaster events, with its processes recognised internationally.