The Senate Select Committee on Australia’s Disaster Resilience was appointed to inquire into Australia’s preparedness, response and recovery workforce models, as well as alternative models to disaster recovery. The committee will consider the role of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), volunteer groups, not-for-profit organisations and state-based services, and the support required to improve Australia’s resilience and response to natural disasters.

This interim report identifies key themes that have emerged in terms of disaster resilience, including:

• Suitability of Defence for Disaster Response – several submissions supported the notion that the ADF should not be the main agency for natural disaster relief
• Governance arrangements – some noted the inadequacies of the legistlative and bureaucratic frameworks through which they operate. 
• Managing volunteers and spontaneous volunteers.
• Support for rural and remote communities and organisations.
• Connectivity is a theme that is frequently referred to when inquiries into regional Australia are held. In terms of disaster situations, lack of communication is a significant problem.
• Climate change will exacerbate natural disasters.

Recommendations

• The House of Representatives Economics Committee examine insurance companies’ handling of flood payouts.
• A parliamentary inquiry be established into land planning with respect to natural disaster resilience.
• The Review considers evidence provided to the Select Committee around the need to use funds to build back better and standardise a regime across the States and Territories.
• The Independent Review of National Natural Disaster Governance Arrangements (Glasser Review) look at the current planning and the triaging of emergencies in light of its impact on the Australian Defence Force.