Fact sheet 7: Emergency manangement
During the 2004 Federal Election campaign, the Australian Government announced a new policy initiative "Working Together to Manage Emergencies" in recognition of the need to develop self-reliance at both the community and local government level in order to enhance community safety. Implementation of the commitment will be undertaken through a partnership between the Australian Government, state governments, communities, local authorities and emergency services sector representatives.
The policy committed to establishing a $33 million Local Government Security Partnership programme consisting of the following elements:
- $1 million to develop a National Strategic Plan in partnership between the Australian Government, state governments and local government to provide an all-hazards, community wide planning framework which complements State and other Australian Government programs to minimise the effects of emergencies and disasters through effective planning and readiness strategies, supported by a range of appropriate measures
- $30 million over four years for a Local Grants Scheme to assist communities to develop and implement emergency risk management initiatives, enhance protective measures for critical infrastructure and provide emergency management and security awareness training for staff working in local government
- $2 million to establish and support an Office of Local Government Emergency Management within Emergency Management Australia (EMA)
