Call for COAG ‘disasters’ meeting

Anthony Albanese has written to Scott Morrison proposing he convene an emergency COAG meeting about natural disasters.

The Leader of the Australian Labor Party, Anthony Albanese. Picture: AAP

Anthony Albanese has written to Scott Morrison proposing he convene an emergency Council of Australian Governments meeting to examine Australia’s preparedness for natural disasters given the bushfires that killed four people and destroyed hundreds of homes.

The Opposition Leader has requested that the meeting addresses issues including an action plan for climate change adaptation and greater investment in research on natural disaster response, recovery and mitigation.

Other issues flagged for debate include the development of a new national strategy for disaster preparedness, adequate funding for emergency services and national park services, an expansion of the capacity of Australia’s National Aerial Firefighting Centre as well as better measures to attract and retain volunteers.

Mr Albanese said the response needed to be led by the federal government and argued the effects of climate change meant Australia was now in “uncharted territory.”

“Emergency leaders, including former fire chiefs, are telling us the scale of these bushfires is unprecedented. The fire season is starting earlier and finishing later, and emergency leaders agree that extreme weather events in Australia will only increase in severity and frequency, due to climate change,” Mr Albanese said.

“In my view, these circumstances require us, as leaders, to re-examine our nation’s preparedness for natural disasters. To facilitate that, I request that you call an urgent Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting, including state and local government leaders to firm up Australia’s natural disaster preparedness.”

Mr Albanese tweeted a copy of his letter saying that climate change would mean “longer and more intense bushfire seasons.”

Minister for Disaster and Emergency Management, David Littleproud, said that discussions about what aerial assets were needed for the fire season had already taken place.

“On Wednesday last we had a ministerial council bringing together all the emergency services ministers from around the country,” he said. “And in fact they are more than four days late. Our fire chiefs have planned meticulously for months, for many, many months for this season.

“They warned of the severity of the season and the length of it.

‘‘And therefore they have planned the number of assets that are required … I have great faith in every one of those fire chiefs around the country.”

Mr Littleproud said he wrote to the peak body representing the fire chiefs last week and was assured they had sufficient assets in place to address the bushfires but that he would be informed if the situation changed.

“Everyone just needs to calm down. We need to have faith and confidence in our fire chiefs,” he said.

The debate over Australia’s preparedness for natural disasters came after the government announced a $50m recovery package with NSW with recovery grants of up to $15,000 for farmers and small businesses.

The $48.25m package covers the North Coast, Mid North Coast and Northern Tableland regions and includes $18.25m for community projects and mental health support.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the assistance package would assist the long term recovery effort of bushfire affected communities.

“The impact to communities has been evident over the last few weeks. However, the extent of the impact to our farming and business sectors has not been fully quantified as these bushfires continue to burn,” she said.