Disaster response bill on fast track

Scott Morrison will try to ram new legislation through the Senate to give the commonwealth new powers to intervene in natural disasters.

’The last thing we want to do as premiers, chiefs and prime minister is interrupt operational arrangements that are working well in how people move between jurisdictions and how equipment is shared’: Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Picture: Getty Images

Scott Morrison will try to ram new legislation through the Senate ahead of the peak of the bushfire season to give the commonwealth new powers to intervene in natural disasters, deploy the Australian Defence Force more swiftly and override states in “exceptional” circumstances.

The government’s response to the 80 recommendations made by the Royal Commission into Natural Disaster Arrangements was released on Friday after the inquiry’s final report last month. It focuses on enhancing Emergency Management Australia and creating a resilience relief agency.

Emergency Management Minister David Littleproud said the government would move quickly to legislate the power in line with the ­recommendation of the royal commission, led by Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin.

The Black Summer bushfires scorched 24 million hectares of land, killed 33 people and destroyed more than 3000 homes.

Mr Littleproud said the drafting of the legislation was not yet complete but the commonwealth was hopeful the powers, which will allow the deployment of troops to combat bushfire disasters without a request from the states, will pass through the Senate before Christmas.

“The drafting of the legislation is being finalised by the ­Attorney-General,” he said.

Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management Minister David Littleproud during a press conference in Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

“There will be discussions with the opposition about trying to expedite that legislation in the last two sitting weeks. We would hope to achieve that.”

Mr Littleproud said the government would not take over the operational management of disasters, stressing that was still within the remit of the states. “But where there is needed to be a surge of resources, the Australian government will come in with its agencies,” he said.

Mr Littleproud said it was important to leave a legacy following the Black Summer and use the lessons learned to build a more resilient Australia.

“That legacy must be achieved, not just by the federal government, but the state governments. This is a partnership, one that we will work together with the states to achieve,” he said.

Mr Morrison, who discussed the government’s response to the royal commission at a meeting of national cabinet on Friday, said there were very good practical operating arrangements between the states, territories and commonwealth when it came to dealing with national disasters.

“The last thing we want to do as premiers, chiefs and prime minister is interrupt operational arrangements that are working well in how people move between jurisdictions and how equipment is shared,” he said.

Also announced was the creation of a national disaster recovery agency — a single agency that would bring together the current flood and drought agencies and bushfire agencies.

A national framework for hazard reduction will be created and insurers will be asked to provide “clear consumer guidance” on reducing natural hazard risks to lower insurance premiums.