Eyes Openers
  • World News
  • Business
  • Stocks
  • Politics
  • World News
  • Business
  • Stocks
  • Politics

Eyes Openers

World News

Australia’s natural disasters bill hits $3.5 billion in 2022, billions more to come

by January 13, 2023
January 13, 2023
Australia’s natural disasters bill hits $3.5 billion in 2022, billions more to come

SYDNEY — Floods and natural disasters that hit all but one Australian state and territory in 2022 cost the economy A$5 billion ($3.48 billion) and stoked inflation according to Treasury estimates which forecast billions more spending in 2023.

Australia suffered four major bouts of flooding last year, with global reinsurer Munich Re estimating that February and March flooding across northern New South Wales state that killed more than 20 was the fourth most costly global disaster in 2022.

Natural disasters cost the economy A$5 billion or 0.25% of real GDP for last financial year, according to Treasury estimates, particularly delays to mining and construction plus the destruction of crops. The figures did not include damage or destruction of infrastructure and other assets.

“We’ve put that number out there really just as a reminder that even though we are rightly focused on the human cost of these natural disasters, which are becoming more and more frequent, there is a cost to the economy as well and a cost to the budget,” Treasurer Jim Chalmers told ABC radio on Friday ahead of a tour of Lismore, a town 700 kilometers (435 miles) north of Sydney devastated by floods last year.

Flooding worsened last year’s record inflation, according to the Treasury, with washed out crops and disrupted logistics contributing to a 16.2% rise in fruit and vegetables prices compared to the pre-COVID decade average of 2.5%.

Days after inflation surprised forecasters to the upside, the Treasury believes fresh food prices will continue to rise.

Mr. Chalmers also flagged more demands on the budget he will deliver in May, with billions of additional disaster-related spending expected this year on top of A$3.5 billion spent in 2022.

The government will focus on mitigating future disasters, he said, instead of policies like subsidizing expensive insurance for those who live in disaster-prone areas.

“We need to be careful about how we expose the government’s balance sheet to some of these big risks,” he said. — Reuters

previous post
Malaysia says it could stop palm oil exports to EU after new curbs
next post
Why the US needs Japan’s help on China chips restrictions

Related Posts

Luxshare says client cooperation normal after Apple production...

January 5, 2023

England’s health service risks missing targets on waiting...

November 17, 2022

UN panel recommends Great Barrier Reef be put...

November 29, 2022

    Get free access to all of the retirement secrets and income strategies from our experts! or Join The Exclusive Subscription Today And Get the Premium Articles Acess for Free

    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Head of Republican Party mocks speaking abilities of Fetterman, Biden

      October 28, 2022
    • 2

      Biden’s unwarranted bragging about reducing the budget deficit

      September 26, 2022
    • 3

      Russian TV is very excited about Такер Карлсон’s Nord Stream theory

      September 30, 2022
    • 4

      Mish’s Daily: Mid-September Column Highlights

      September 29, 2022
    • 5

      Strong Sector Rotation To Financials, but will it be enough to turn the market back up?

      October 14, 2022

    Categories

    • Business (1,028)
    • Politics (1,212)
    • Stocks (423)
    • World News (778)
    • About Us
    • Contacts
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Email Whitelisting

    Disclaimer: EyesOpeners.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2023 EyesOpeners.com | All Rights Reserved