Organisation

Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements

The Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements was established on 20 February 2020, in response to the extreme bushfire season of 2019-20, which resulted in loss of life, property and wildlife and environmental destruction.

Sometimes referred to as the 'Bushfires Royal Commission,' the Commission examined coordination, preparedness for, response to and recovery from disasters, as well as improving resilience and adapting to changing climatic conditions and mitigating the impact of natural disasters. The inquiry also considered the legal framework for Commonwealth involvement in responding to national emergencies.

Commission Chair, Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin AC (Retd) presented the Royal Commission’s final report to the Governor‑General on Wednesday 28 October 2020. The report was tabled in Parliament on 30 October 2020.

The other two Commissioners were the Honourable Dr Annabelle Bennett AC SC (Bond University) and Professor Andrew Macintosh (Australian National University).

Discussion paper

Issues paper: local governments and natural disasters

5 Jun 2020

Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements

Local governments will often have a more detailed understanding of their local communities and resources than other levels of government. They may be a key source of information for their communities. Emergency response services also commonly rely on the knowledge, support and expertise of local governments.

Discussion paper

Issues paper: health arrangements in natural disasters

29 May 2020

Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements

This paper provides an overview of Australia's health care arrangements and discusses the role of primary care providers, the health effects of bushfire smoke, and whether there is a need for greater research into any particular health effects of natural disasters.

Report

Social justice and the future of fire insurance in Australia

21 May 2020

Jeremy Moss,

Daniel Burkett

University of New South Wales

Major bushfires are now occurring with increased frequency. This means that houses will be more at risk than ever and Australia will have to decide whether the current purely market-based mechanism is the best means of protecting people’s homes.

Briefing paper

Background paper: Australian inquiries and reports concerning natural disasters

15 May 2020

Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements

The Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements has, to date, identified more than 240 formal analyses completed since 1927, resulting in thousands of findings and recommendations.

Discussion paper

Issues paper: Constitutional framework for the declaration of a State of National Emergency

8 May 2020

Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements

This issues paper explores legal and constitutional questions surrounding the concept of a declaration of a 'state of national emergency' by the Commonwealth of Australia, and how this might operate and interact with existing state and territory emergency management frameworks.