Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee, , 30:34 to 37:49
Discussion regarding the progress of negotiations with states, territories, and local governments on the new disaster recovery funding framework.
Topics: Drought and disaster support, Infrastructure
Speakers: Senator Susan McDonald, Andrew Minack, Mr Pat Hetherington, Hon Jenny McAllister, Dr Jill Charker
Thank you. As you know, when a natural disaster hits a community, it's the council that's on the front line. It's the council that the community turns to for first response, and it's the council who is often responsible for maintaining so much of the infrastructure in a community. In recognition of this, can NEMA provide a concrete assurance to local government that councils will not be left financially worse off as a result of the new disaster recovery funding model?
What I would say, Senator, is in the first instance there are no changes to the disaster recovery funding arrangements for this upcoming high-risk weather season. We've been very clear from about that from the outset. And in respect to the reforms, we're still working through those reforms. But the intent was never to provide less resource, less funding to local government areas. But I can assure you the intent was not to reduce resources available to those people on the front line of recovery.
So on the 5th of June this year, when the Albanese government announced that it would be negotiating changes to Australia's long-standing disaster recovery funding arrangements and replacing it with the new disaster recovery funding framework to provide clarity on this. Can NEMA provide this committee with a comprehensive update on the progress and status of these ongoing negotiations with the states and territories and the local government sector when it comes to establishing the new disaster recovery funding framework, and can that update include relevant next steps, i.e., working groups, meetings, upcoming milestones, and time frames. And I'm happy for the detail to be provided on notice in the interests of time.
Senator, we can. I'll throw to Mr. Minak in a moment to walk through some of that. But as you say, uh 5th of June we announced reform of the disaster recovery funding arrangements. And since then we have undertaken what has been a very comprehensive set of engagements, both bilaterally, multilaterally, uh, both at the ministerial level and at officials level across all jurisdictions, and we can walk through some of that as well as receiving, I think, something in the order of 260 written submissions around the reform. So it's been a it's been a comprehensive engagement thus far, but I will throw to Mr. Minak just to walk through the elements of the reforms and where we're at, what has already been announced and then what remains to be done if that's usually.
Just conscious that we have a uh a deadline of 10 o'clock, and I've got a lot to get through. So if we could keep it succinct and provide detail on notice, please.
So, Senator Andrew Minack for Assistant Coordinator General NEMA. Just in terms of engagement, um, since the announcement on the 5th of June of the proposed framework, that was always out for consultation. We've done a series of engagements both at a jurisdiction, state territory and local government level. Um we've also had key leadership meetings in the sector in terms of NSEMSI, which is the Australian New Zealand Emergency Management Committee. That's all the senior officials. Um representative of that, and also the ministerial meetings, which ALGA is also representative of that. In terms of submissions, um we had 266, 130 were from local council, and we've also established a local government advisory group which has met twice. And again, Senator to your point, that's specifically acknowledgement of the important role local government play in terms of delivery of both recovery and resilience measures on the ground. So it's a key focus in terms of engagement, and then it will be clearly a key focus of engagement going forward. Um, from personal perspective, we've also presented to all the local government associations around Australia, again to hear get feedback in terms of the proposed reforms, and that will be ongoing.
Well, that's what I want to know. It was not actually what's happened to date. We're all aware of what's happened to date and the massive outcry from councils and states around the country and the government now walking back some of those announcements. What I want to know is what's happening going forward, like details of who sits on that local government representative group, uh, and what is the plan to continue engaging to land this beast.
So, in terms of um we can give you a list of who's actually sits on that local government advisory group, what I will say is represent representatives from all jurisdictions. Um in terms of going forward, um, we're certainly intending to meet with local councils, with local government associations, with state and territory jurisdictions. Again, Senator, in terms of where we are of the reform process, obviously there was a key announcement by the Treasurer and the Minister around cost-sharing arrangements, counter-disaster operations, activation thresholds. That's a component. There's still a number of other elements in terms of standardised packages, risk reduction activities, etc., that we still need to engage with key stakeholders and specifically local councils.
And in particular, uh Senator Jill Sharker, Deputy Coordinator General. Um, in particular, one of the core issues that councils have called out repeatedly unanimously has been the need for streamlining and reducing the complexity associated with administering the recovery arrangements and a key piece of the work going forward, as Andrew, as Mr. Minak noted, is also working with councils to identify where now are the obstacles they've been facing with evidence requirements, claiming processes through their relevant state or territory, etc. as appropriate, and looking at ways to try to streamline some of that going forwards.
All right. Again, you've provided very little detail of what actually is happening. Lots of um we are going to consult, but if you could provide on notice, um the details of that local government group, how often it will meet, what the milestones of success are. The same with your consultation with states and territories and those other groups, what the milestones are, what set meetings there are. Thank you.
Um I hear the challenge the officials have is that you've asked them not to provide detail right now in the interest of time, and you now offer a criticism because of the lack of detail. Perhaps I can to shortcut this, perhaps what I can say, Senator McDonald, is that the engagements, including uh with state jurisdictions and with local government have been extensive to date. I think that everything about uh that the way that NEMA has proceeded with this does involve deep consultation with partners. Disaster management is absolutely a team sport. We are usually not in the lead on a design in a disaster situation. It is a state and territory. We need to cooperate with states and territories. We need to cooperate with local government who play a key role as your questioning indicates. Uh that reality is reflected in the consultation process that's taking place to date, and I am absolutely confident will be reflected in the consultation process going forward. And officials, I think, are willing to provide on notice some more of that detail that you have requested.