The Albanese Government has today released the findings of two reviews into the nation's disaster arrangements.
The Independent Review of Commonwealth Disaster Funding (Colvin Review) as well as the Independent Review of National Natural Disaster Governance Arrangements (the Glasser Review) to improve disaster management arrangements were commissioned in 2023.
The reviews were in response to the increasing size, scale, intensity, cost and complexity of natural disasters.
Both reviews found that Australia's disaster management frameworks and arrangements have not evolved at the same rate as the changing nature of disasters.
The Colvin and Glasser reviews recommend reforms focussed on clarifying the Australian Government's role in disasters and identifying priority outcomes, reforming recovery support, uplifting national disaster governance arrangements to support policy and capability requirements, and improving the evidence base that informs funding decisions.
Both reviews were tasked with focusing on the role that the Australian Government plays. However, we know that preparing for, responding to and recovering from natural disasters is a shared job.
States and territories have primary responsibility for emergency management within their jurisdictions, and local governments, the not-for-profit sector and industry also play a critical role. That is why the Albanese Government will undertake widespread consultation to inform its final response to the recommendations.
In line with the initiatives from the Colvin and Glasser reviews a recovery support package has been developed to provide states and territories with additional capability in advance of this natural disaster season. This includes improvements to the delivery of Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) assistance, and access to national resources and expertise.
Senator Jenny McAllister said both reviews are an opportunity for reforms that better protect our communities from more complex, frequent and catastrophic disasters.
'The recommendations from both reviews support a strategic shift towards disaster risk reduction and resilience to reduce the impact of disasters on the Australian people.
'Both the Colvin and Glasser Review allow us to consider holistic reforms that could have a meaningful, lasting impact on Australia's communities and the natural disaster landscape.'
'Addressing these reforms and the challenges and opportunities they present will require us all working together. I am looking forward to working with states, territories and other key partners on how to respond to these recommendations.'
Link to reviews: Reviews
