Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says early estimates of the current cost to Queensland from the “summer of disasters” is $1.5 billion, which could increase.
Ms Palaszczuk says cabinet was briefed on Monday about the impact of floods on the state’s road and rail network in North Queensland, while cattle properties would need fencing replaced and 1200 homes in Townsville were uninhabitable.
Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said the natural disasters will have an impact on the state budget due in June, but LNP leader Deb Frecklington has called on the Labor government to rule out raising or introducing new taxes.