Prime Minister, Scott Morrison has announced the establishment of a new national Agency to help local communities respond to large-scale natural disasters.
The National Recovery and Resilience Agency will also be proactive, undertaking initiatives to manage the impact of future events and the changing climate.
According to the Prime Minister its remit will include providing advice to the Government on policies and programs to mitigate the impact of future major disaster events.
Mr Morrison said that in the past two years Australians had faced floods, bushfires, cyclones, drought and now the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’m determined to keep Australians safe and support the recovery of communities and regions right across Australia,” Mr Morrison said.
He said the Agency would be led by Coordinator-General, Shane Stone (pictured) and would incorporate the former National Drought and North Queensland Flood Response and Recovery Agency and the National Bushfire Recovery Agency, including the $2 billion National Bushfire Recovery Fund.
“The Agency will also take responsibility for supporting the long-term recovery of communities rebuilding after the recent storms and floods in NSW and Queensland and cyclones in West Australia,” the Prime Minister said.
Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, David Littleproud said Emergency Management Australia would also receive support to upgrade its National Situation Room to include a real time “common operating picture”, for all natural disasters.
“We will also provide $4.5 million to support disaster recovery scenario training to help regional communities prepare for high-risk hazards,” Mr Littleproud said.
He said the final, critically important part of the national reforms was the establishment of a world-class climate service with detailed climate and disaster information.
“Through the Australian Climate Service we will draw on the expertise of our best and brightest scientists to help us better anticipate, manage and adapt to climate impacts to inform the work of the National Recovery and Resilience Agency and Emergency Management Australia,” the Minister said.
