Queensland's mayors call on Canberra to drop disaster fund changes

Queensland's mayors have issued an open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calling on the federal government to abandon proposed changes to a national disaster funding program. The local leaders argue that the federal policy adjustments will financially cripple regional authorities, warning the changes threaten to bankrupt councils.

In response to the open letter, the federal government has pushed back against the criticism, urging state counterparts and local leaders to avoid stoking fear over the disaster fund modifications. The dispute centers on the economic impact of the proposed federal adjustments on local government capabilities to manage and recover from natural disasters.