The Australian Government seeks to enhance its commonwealth crisis response and recovery capabilities. Like other nations, Australia faces more frequent, severe and complex disasters due to climate change. The Department of Home Affairs, alongside the National Emergency Management Agency, has released a discussion paper and seeks views on how the nation can achieve this.
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is primarily tasked with defending Australia, and findings from The Defence Strategic Review concluded that the ADF is not equipped to act as a domestic disaster recovery agency. The government collaborates with state and territory governments on emergency preparedness and recovery, recognising that a whole-of-society community-level response is essential. The discussion paper seeks feedback on structural changes that could enhance Australia’s resilience and disaster preparedness.
Click here to access the consultation page Alternative Commonwealth Capabilities for Crisis Response Discussion Paper (homeaffairs.gov.au)
Click here to read the full discussion paper Alternative Commonwealth Capabilities for Crisis Response | Discussion Paper (homeaffairs.gov.au)
Click here to read the Australian Government Crisis Management Framework (pmc.gov.au)
Click here to read the National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework (homeaffairs.gov.au)