QUESTION WITHOUT NOTICE
23 November 2009
Gibbons: Is it the case that climate change is projected to lead to more severe heat waves and more extreme bushfire days; to more intense cyclones and more floods and severe storms; and to rising sea levels?
What is the government doing to ensure that emergency management sector is better able to prepare and response to these more frequent and intense natural disasters?
McClelland:
- I thank the Honourable Member for Bendigo for his question. The people of his electorate, like all Australians, are concerned about the future likelihood of more severe and frequent natural disasters.
- Mr Speaker.
Climate change is real. It is projected to lead to more intense cyclones, floods and storms—and to more heat waves and droughts, and greater bushfire risks. - By 2030 Australia is estimated to face:
- up to 20 per cent more months of drought, and
- up to 25 per cent more days of very high or greater fire danger.
- The increased threat to human beings, houses and infrastructure and our natural environment is clear.
- Over the weekend we saw temperatures of over 40 degrees throughout NSW with winds gusting to 70km per hour. This resulted in some 141 different fires. They were fought by over 1000 fire fighters including 2 teams from the ACT. 75 aircraft were involved and 550 fire trucks.
- The Commonwealth made Richmond airforce air base available to assist.
- We are of course very grateful for all those who risked their own personal safety – it was an enormous effort.
- We are also grateful to those fighting fires in South Australia last week.
- It shows how natural disasters cause tremendous cost to the community.
- This past year, for instance, the Commonwealth has paid nearly $300 million in natural disaster relief and recovery payments, and this amount will substantially increase in response to more intense and frequent natural disasters.
- Last Friday 20 November, I chaired an important Ministerial Council for Police and Emergency Management meeting.
- It was highly productive and I thank my State and Territory counter parts for their constructive contributions.
- The meeting endorsed a number of initiatives including a National Catastrophic Natural Disaster Plan National Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan. And National Work Plan to Reduce Bushfire Arson.
- Significantly the meeting also endorsed a National Climate Change Adaption Plan.
- This Plan will ensure that climate change adaptation strategies are integral to emergency management planning and response.
- Mr Speaker.
This bushfire season poses great risks. - On 20 October I made a comprehensive statement to this House about our preparations for this season.
- The Commonwealth stands ready to assist states and territories respond to bushfires in any way we can.
- And I remind all Australians—and particularly those in high fire risk areas— to do everything they can to be prepared for bushfires, to be vigilant and to follow the instructions of emergency services personnel.
- Mr Speaker.
But if we are serious about protecting communities from natural disasters—and I know all members are—then we must do whatever we can reasonably do to mitigate the effects of climate change.
ENDS
