Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers Ltd (QFVG), Media Release, 9 June 2026
Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG) is seeking assurances that Queensland growers will not become collateral damage in proposed changes to Australia’s disaster recovery funding arrangements.
The Australian Government has announced consultation on a new Disaster Recovery Funding Framework, including a 50:50 funding model between the Commonwealth and states and territories, which would replace current Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
While the Federal Government says the reforms will simplify funding and reduce red tape, QFVG is concerned that the new arrangements could become a cost-shifting exercise between governments at the expense of growers and regional communities.
QFVG CEO Scott Kompo-Harms said growers were seeking assurances from both the Australian and Queensland Governments that existing levels of support for primary producers would be maintained under any new funding arrangements.
“Queensland growers support measures that make disaster recovery funding faster, simpler and more effective. However, we are concerned that these reforms could result in governments shifting costs between themselves, with growers and regional communities ultimately paying the price,” Mr Kompo-Harms said.
“Disasters do not become less costly because governments change the funding formula.
“If the Federal Government reduces its contribution, growers need confidence that the State Government will not be forced to scale back assistance programs, tighten eligibility criteria or reduce support following future disaster events.
“Beyond funding certainty, both levels of government must recognise the ever-growing challenges growers face during natural disasters and work directly with industry to strengthen, not reduce, support arrangements. That should include options such as payroll tax relief and other measures that genuinely improve access to support when disasters hit.”
Mr Kompo-Harms said clarity around the potential impacts on local governments was also needed with many relying on disaster recovery funding to repair roads and critical infrastructure following natural disasters.
“Regional roads are the lifeblood of Queensland’s horticulture industry,” he said.
“Growers depend on reliable transport networks to move fresh produce to market, access suppliers and keep their businesses operating.
“Any reduction in recovery funding available to local governments could have significant consequences for regional communities and agricultural industries.”
Mr Kompo-Harms acknowledged recent improvements to disaster assistance arrangements for primary producers, including changes to the definition of a primary producer that will improve access to support, and amendments to natural disaster funding that allow recovery grants to be used for crop replanting following disaster events.
“Those changes have been welcomed by growers because they better reflect the realities of modern horticulture and improve access to assistance when it is needed most,” he said.
“We encourage the Queensland Government to continue advocating for growers and provide certainty that these important reforms will not be undermined by changes to Federal funding arrangements.
“The measure of success should not be how governments divide the cost of disasters. The measure of success should be whether growers can recover, rebuild and continue producing food for Australians.”
