Title Coordination of federal, state and local disaster management arrangements in Australia : lessons from the UK and the US / Michael Eburn

Published [Barton, Australian Capital Territory] : Australian Strategic Policy Institute, August 2017 ©2017

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Description 1 online resource (16 pages) : colour illustrations Series ASPI strategic insights, 1449-3993 ; 119 Strategic insights, 1449-3993 ; 119 Strategic insights ; 119. 1449-3993 Summary There are gaps in Australia's emergency management legislation. The states and territories have extensive and comprehensive emergency management legislation, but the provisions dealing with local government range from almost non-existent (in New South Wales) to significant (in Queensland) despite the clear recognition that local government has, or should have, an important role in this area. The Commonwealth has no federal emergency management legislation, and the Australian Government's authority to act during times of national crisis can be, and has been, challenged. Australia shares political traditions with both the UK and the US. Analysis of key legislation from those jurisdictions- the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (UK) and the Robert T Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (US)- reveals important learning that could be adopted in Australia. The UK's Civil Contingencies Act provides an example of legislation that if modelled by the Australian states and territories would go a long way to mainstreaming local government involvement in contingencies management. The UK Act has less application at the Commonwealth level, given the different constitutional arrangements in Australia. For the Commonwealth, an Act modelled on the US Stafford Act would provide legislative authority for Commonwealth action, thereby reducing the possibility of legal challenge to the validity of emergency arrangements. Such emergency management legislation would also identify how the Commonwealth response is to be coordinated and managed. It would help ensure that there could be a considered whole-of-government response to any overwhelming national disaster. A Stafford-type Act may provide a clearer way through the maze that is Commonwealth-state relations at a time when action is required and clarity of responsibility is most urgently needed Analysis Australian Notes Caption title Bibliography Includes bibliographical references Subject Emergency management -- Australia Emergency management -- Australia -- Auditing Intergovernmental cooperation -- Australia Separation of powers -- Australia Assistance in emergencies -- Law and legislation -- Australia Emergency medical services -- Law and legislation -- Australia Fire extinction -- Law and legislation -- Australia Emergency management -- Great Britain Emergency management -- United States Disaster relief -- United States -- Management Assistance in emergencies -- Law and legislation. Emergency management. Emergency management -- Auditing. Emergency medical services -- Law and legislation. Fire extinction -- Law and legislation. Intergovernmental cooperation. Separation of powers. Australia. Great Britain. United States. Form Electronic book Author Australian Strategic Policy Institute, issuing body.

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