POLITICS was swept aside in Queensland parliament's first sitting day of the year, to remember those killed in Queensland's latest flood crisis.
Normal proceedings were suspended on Tuesday to hear condolences, led by Premier Campbell Newman.
He spoke of the shock, sadness and frustration sparked by state's second widespread disaster in two years.
He paid tribute to the six people who lost their lives last month and vowed their deaths would not be in vain.
"Their deaths will mark a turning point in the way Queensland deals with natural disasters," he said.
More than 4224 properties were damaged when ex-cyclone Oswald brought extreme weather to 53 local government areas.
More than 2300 properties are uninhabitable, most in Bundaberg.
The premier wants to build a more resilient Queensland and says the state government will review how infrastructure is built, look at building flood levees and dams, and consider relocating suburbs and communities.
"This event will be seen by future historians as a game-changer that made the government of the day take a bold new approach," Mr Newman said.
Early estimates indicate the disaster will cost $2.4 billion.
Treasurer Tim Nicholls says the budget will take a knock but insists the state is still open for business, and the tourism and agriculture industries will bounce back.
Extra funding, up to $25,000, has been announced for primary producers and small businesses in the worst hit areas.
Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk described the flooding disaster as a nightmare revisited.
She said Queenslanders witnessed more scenes of despair and heartbreak just two years on from the last major flood.
"Queensland collectively shuddered and waited and watched, all the time thinking, 'Oh no, not again,'" she told parliament.
"We were once again reminded of the high price we must all too frequently pay for calling Queensland home."
Labor's member for Bundamba, Jo-Ann Miller, couldn't resist an opportunity to criticise the government.
She said there was a lack of staff at community recovery centres and some had to be closed as they reached capacity.
"The sad fact is, with this LNP government dismissing the staff that did this work, the poor public servants who were left behind simply couldn't cope with the demand that was placed on them," she said.
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