NSW National emergency over Delta Covid outbreak: What it means for Australia

NSW has asked for a national emergency to be declared. This is how if affects Australians, and what impact will it have on our daily lives.

The NSW government, on health advice, has asked the federal government to declare a national emergency.

The plea is in relation to the virus spiral the state is now in - with Covid cases and those infectious in the community with the Delta outbreak steadily increasing, despite weeks of lockdown.

But what does that actually mean - for the state and the rest of the country?

What is a national emergency?

The National Emergency Declaration Act 2020 was passed by the Morrison Government late last year.

It allows for the Governor-General, on advice of the Prime Minister, to declare a national emergency for emergencies that are “of national significance”.

That is an emergency that is “likely to cause” nationally significant harm to the life or health of an individual, or group of individuals, the disruption to an essential service, or harm to the environment and property.

It also said: “For reasons relating to emergency management, it is desirable for the declaration to be made for the purposes of one or more national emergency laws.”

What does it do?

The Commonwealth already has a wide range of powers to respond and support recovery from emergencies.

The Bill consolidates those powers to provide “greater visibility” to politicians, and removes the different tests a variety of laws require to be met in responding to an emergency.

The NSW Government has asked for a national emergency to be declared. Picture: Matrix

It also empowers ministers to suspend, vary or substitute ‘red tape’ requirements in

legislation that they administer where this would benefit the public, or a section of

the public, during or following a national emergency, and enables the Prime Minister to require accountable authorities of Commonwealth entities to provide information, such as information about Commonwealth stockpiles, assets and resources, and options and recommendations to respond to the emergency, to assist the government to prepare for, respond to or support the recovery from the national emergency.

Ministers can suspend, vary or substitute procedural requirements that may be a barrier to people in emergency-affected areas accessing payments, benefits or services — such as requirements to produce particular kinds of identification, or have their signature witnessed.

In practical terms, what does it mean? What will change for NSW?

It could mean more vaccines - and they will come from other states.

It could also mean Pfizer, for example, being rolled out to everyone in southwest Sydney, the epicentre of the crisis, which is not what is currently happening.

Dr Kerry Chant said: “Two areas that I have requested that we urgently focus on, is redirecting all of vaccine initiatives to southwestern Sydney, and Western Sydney, particularly the affected local government areas.”

It would also allow for logistic changes to the vaccination program. NSW is seeking a change in approach, to get everyone jabbed in at least one dose first - this strategy is already in place in Canada.

The Covid-19 crisis has seen half of Australia’s population in lockdown to try and control the Delta outbreak. Picture: Getty

What does it mean for the rest of Australia?

In the current context of the NSW Covid-19 outbreak, it means a national emergency order would hopefully reduce the chance of flow on effects spreading throughout the country - such as cases spread and the disruption caused by lengthy state border closures.

An intention of the Act is also to try and mitigate “an extended loss of income”, so it could take into consideration the ongoing financial hit of having Greater Sydney in lockdown.

And it could mean fewer vaccines for other states, if they are redirected to NSW

Why was the Act introduced?

Essentially, it was to create a clear path and guidelines to allow the Commonwealth

to lead a “cohesive and effective co-ordination strategy”.

This means it was done to allow quick decisions, which are needed in a crisis.

How long can it last?

A national emergency is limited to a maximum of three months - but it can be extended if the crisis that caused it is not over.

A state of emergency was declared in Victoria last year - what did that mean?

The laws, gave the chief health officer wide-ranging powers to enforce public health orders including hotel quarantine and mask wearing.

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