The Albanese Government has today released public submissions for the Alternative Commonwealth Capabilities for Crisis Response Discussion Paper.
The Government is considering how to enhance the Commonwealth's capabilities and national capacity to ensure Australia is prepared to face the increasing number of frequent and severe natural disasters due to climate change.
The Government will continue to work collaboratively with State and Territory Governments, who are the lead agency in disasters, to ensure Australians can have confidence in the country's disaster response capabilities.
The independent findings of the 2023 Defence Strategic Review recommended that the Australian Defence Force (ADF) should only be used as the last resort for domestic aid to the community during and following disasters except in extreme circumstances, as long-term reliance on the ADF for these events is unsustainable given Australia's more complex geostrategic environment.
Last August, the Department of Home Affairs released a discussion paper seeking public views on ways to enhance how the Federal Government responds to requests for disaster assistance from State and Territory Governments.
A range of written submissions were received, and between August and October 2023 the Department also conducted 26 roundtables with a range of critical sectors, as well as state and territory governments and emergency service organisations, engaging with nearly 240 organisations through roundtables and other means.
Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt said after another season of devastating floods and fires, the importance of finding long-term solutions to resourcing the response and recovery efforts in natural disasters can't be understated.
"This Discussion Paper has had input from a wide range of Australians, and I thank the people who submitted their view," Minister Watt said.
"This Discussion Paper has helped to bring together a range of expertise that can be called upon in a disaster and the Albanese Government will continue to listen to stakeholders to inform how we ensure we're better prepared to respond to future disaster events.
"The Australian Defence Force is frequently relied upon to support domestic disaster relief efforts, including supplying personnel and equipment during the current Higher Risk Weather Season.
"Since coming to office, the Albanese Government has demonstrated we will continue to make the ADF available, having deployed them during disaster response multiple times since coming into office, most recently to assist in efforts across Queensland, but in line with the Defence Strategic Review this is about developing response measures so that Defence is not always the first call that's made - it is the last."
The Department of Home Affairs and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) will use information gathered from the Discussion Paper to inform the policy development process and advice to Government on potential options.
Work is already well underway to ensure there are many Commonwealth support options to call on, including through the Albanese Government's $38 million Budget commitment to Disaster Relief Australia, a veteran-led organisation that provides additional support for states and territories when disasters occur. Disaster Relief Australia personnel are already assisting with clean up and recovery work, including the South East Queensland Christmas storms and ex-TC Jasper recovery in Far North Queensland, as well as flood recovery in Victoria and New South Wales.
Public submissions on the Discussion Paper are available.
