Linda Reynolds looks at putting military in the firing line

Defence Minister Linda Reynolds is considering an unprecedented compulsory call-out of military reserves to help combat bushfires.

Defence Minister Linda Reynolds. Picture: AFP

Defence Minister Linda Reynolds is considering an unprecedented compulsory call-out of military reserves to help combat bushfire emergencies over the dry season amid the catastrophic fire threat facing NSW and Queensland.

The mechanism in the Defence Act has never been activated, with Senator Reynolds telling parliament on Tuesday she was scoping the “availability and readiness” of reserve forces across the army, navy and air force.

“Our first call is always to our regular forces and the capabilities that they bring with us. As Minister for Defence at this time of unprecedented fire threat, I am focused on ensuring that the Australian Defence Force is ready to provide additional support for the frontline first responders,” Senator Rey­nolds said.

“But work is also under way to scope the availability and readiness of our highly capable reserve forces across all three services. Reservists are already regularly employed for emergency disaster assistance and recovery.”

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Reservists are often employed for emergency disaster assistance and recovery programs under the voluntary “call for” arrangements, with Senator Reynolds flagging the prospect of a broader compulsory “call-out” being activated.

Under section 28 of the Defence Act, the Governor-General can publish a call-out order to allow reservists to provide “support to community activities of national or international significance” or “civil aid, humanitarian assistance, medical or civil emergency or ­disaster relief”.

Senator Reynolds said she was working with Defence to ensure the government could “provide further response to larger, more ­severe and also more protracted natural disasters”.

“Reserve forces can be called out by the Governor-General in ­accordance with section 28 of the Defence Act,” she said.

“This mechanism has never been used. Defence is working through every aspect, at the moment, of such a call-out, to ensure that we are prepared, if required.”

Senator Reynolds said emergency reserve support forces were already at 120-person capacity in Brisbane and 130-person capacity in Sydney to “provide transport, logistics and other requested and required support”.

She said while the Defence ­Forces were not firefighters, they were “doing everything they can to help the community in these catastrophic circumstances”.

“I pay tribute to our fire services who are battling these circumstances and I particularly thank our ADF personnel who are supporting the effort,” she said.

Senator Reynolds said the air force had transported firefighters and their equipment from Can­berra, Adelaide and Hobart to Port Macquarie.

Singleton and Lismore army bases in NSW have also been providing accommodation and catering to firefighters from the Victorian Country Fire Authority, while army and naval helicopters have supported firefighter movements.

“Yesterday (Monday), I asked the Chief of Defence Force to give an order to all military base commanders making clear that they have the authority to use local ­defence assets and resources to ­respond to any local contingencies,” Senator Reynolds said.

“Defence is also postured to provide further air lift and is prepared to provide assistance in areas such as aerial fire reconnaissance and logistical assistance.”