A new $10 million weather radar will be installed in Central Queensland under a Coalition government, aiming to improve forecasting for remote communities and graziers battling extreme weather.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said the funding would restore confidence in the Bureau of Meteorology’s (BoM) forecasts, particularly in a region devastated by recent floods.
“The Coalition knows that a new weather radar is of critical importance for communities and businesses in Central Queensland,” Dutton said.
“This is yet another reflection that a Dutton-Littleproud Government would once again prioritise the needs of regional Australians after the neglect of the Albanese Government.”
He criticised the current government for failing to act sooner, arguing that their priorities lay elsewhere. “The need for a weather radar in Central Queensland is not new. The Albanese Government could have acted at any time over the last three years, but they have been busy focusing on harvesting Greens votes and inner-city issues like the Voice rather than responding to the needs of this regional community.”
Nationals Leader David Littleproud echoed these concerns, stressing that better forecasting tools could save lives.
“The community has called for a new radar near Quilpie, and we will deliver it,”
he said.
“In recent days, I’ve heard first-hand harrowing stories of survival. If families had been given more notice, they would have had time to get to safety. Instead, some have been forced to fight for their lives. That’s why this is important.”
Littleproud also highlighted the new Fodder Taskforce, established to help get feed to stranded cattle, but said improved forecasting would allow graziers to prepare before disaster strikes.
Shadow Environment Minister Jonno Duniam said the radar would restore trust in BoM’s ability to provide accurate data. “Regional communities, including graziers, need accurate weather data to make the right decisions, or else they are flying blind,” he said.
The announcement forms part of the Coalition’s broader strategy to support regional Australia, with Dutton vowing to “get our country back on track.”
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