Review of the operations of the NSW Reconstruction Authority

Review of the operations of the NSW Reconstruction Authority

Grants and funding arrangements

69

5.105 The Committee consistently heard from stakeholders throughout the inquiry who

supported the recommendations of the Colvin Review or called for similar

reforms of the DRFA.469

5.106 The NSW Government noted that the Authority's approach reflects key

recommendations from the Colvin Review, particularly in enhancing governance

and program delivery, coordination, transparency, and community engagement.

It also acknowledged areas for further development, such as the potential for

further streamlined funding mechanisms and clearer eligibility guidelines for

disaster recovery support.

470

What is the Colvin Review?

The Australian Government commissioned an Independent Review of

Commonwealth Disaster Funding, known as 'the Colvin Review', to improve

disaster funding arrangements. The review was led by Andrew Colvin AO APM

and delivered to the Government in April 2024. The review made 47

recommendations and found that DRFA are in need of review and reform.471

The report recommends that the Australian Government develop a new

National Natural Disasters Outcomes Policy that clarifies the purpose of

disaster funding and takes an evidence-informed and risk-based approach.472

This new policy should also guide changes to disaster funding.473 The policy and

associated changes and frameworks should also clarify the role that DRFA plays

in disaster funding.474

The report also found that DRFA has become the default mechanism to deliver

a range of disaster recovery and resilience work, but this has distorted its

original intent and purpose of assisting state governments with the financial

burden of disaster relief and reconstruction costs.475 To address this,

application of DRFA should be simplified to ensure that they can be used

consistently and are easier to administer.476

5.107 At the time of writing, the Australian Government has not responded to the

recommendations of the Colvin Review. The NSW Government says this 'restricts

the States' ability to implement them.'

477

469 Submission 48, Insurance Council of Australia, p 7; Submission 49, p 24; Submission 47, p 12; Submission 45, pp

5-6; Submission 37, pp 5-6; Submission 36, p 7; Submission 35, p 25; Submission 24, p 7; Submission 19, p 1.

470 Submission 50, p 16.

471 National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Independent Review of Commonwealth Disaster Funding

(also known as the Colvin Review), last updated 4 June 2025, accessed 23 March 2026; Andrew Colvin AO APM,

Independent Review of Commonwealth Disaster Funding, final report, 30 April 2024, pp 3, 12, 24-37.

472 Andrew Colvin AO APM, Independent Review of Commonwealth Disaster Funding, p 16.

473 Andrew Colvin AO APM, Independent Review of Commonwealth Disaster Funding, p 16.

474 Andrew Colvin AO APM, Independent Review of Commonwealth Disaster Funding, p 16.

475 Andrew Colvin AO APM, Independent Review of Commonwealth Disaster Funding, p 19; Department of Home

Affairs, Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements 2018, 5 June 2018, p 14.

476 Andrew Colvin AO APM, Independent Review of Commonwealth Disaster Funding, p 19.

477 Submission 50, p 16.