Category: Australian News

The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) today released the 15th report of its National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program (the Program).

An estimated 15.7 tonnes of methylamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA and heroin was consumed in 2020–21, the fifth year of the Program. Consumption of methylamphetamine is still dominant, well ahead of cocaine, the next biggest market of the four major drugs.

ACIC Chief Executive Officer Michael Phelan APM said the estimated street value of the four major drugs was $10.3 billion last year, up from $8.9 billion the previous year, due largely to general increases in street prices. Methylamphetamine accounted for 77 per cent of this expenditure.

“We saw the second lowest annual consumption of the four major drugs since our national wastewater drug monitoring program began, yet the second highest spending by Australians over the same period. It is clear that Australians are prepared to pay top dollar to line the pockets of organised criminals, generating significant health and other harms to our community,” Mr Phelan said.

“Through wastewater analysis we gain insight into the serious and organised crime groups that supply illicit drug markets. Regular and near-real-time wastewater reporting enables the ACIC and our partners to detect and respond to increasing drug threats in a timely way and monitor the impact of responses.”

Report 15 provides a 12 month and five-year overview of drug consumption in Australia which includes years where there have been COVID-19 restrictions in place. The national consumption of methylamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA and heroin increased year on year in the first four years of the Program (2016–17 to 2019–20), followed by a marked reduction in total consumption in year five (2020–21). The drop of approximately 4.7 tonnes from the previous year’s levels, represents a 23 per cent decrease in overall drug consumption across these markets.

A key driver of the national drug market reduction over the last year was COVID-19 movement and border restrictions, law enforcement interventions and supply and demand. COVID-related border restrictions did not cause immediate major interruption to Australia’s drug markets, but wastewater data strongly indicates that the cumulative effect of these restrictions led to some substantial market interruptions.

“The restrictions put in place as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, severely constrained these markets. However, organised crime groups continued to find ways to supply illicit drug markets during the pandemic and to generate significant illicit revenue through this activity,” Mr Phelan said.

“Our report helps address harmful drug consumption through improving knowledge about these influences so that tailored supply, demand and harm reduction efforts can be developed and implemented by decision makers on a range of drug and public health issues.”

The latest report presents data on Australia’s drug consumption for 12 substances. The August 2021 collection covered around 57 per cent of Australia’s population—about 13.3 million Australians. Result of note include:

· Consumption of methylamphetamine in capital cities and regional sites decreased in August 2021 to the lowest levels recorded by the Program, followed by an increase in capital cities in October 2021.

· Consumption of MDMA in capital cities decreased in August 2021 to the lowest levels recorded by the Program.

· Consumption of cocaine also decreased in August 2021, after which it increased in capital cities.

· Consumption of oxycodone and fentanyl appears to have stabilised, but at low levels.

· Consumption of heroin increased from April to August 2021, before decreasing in capital cities in October 2021.

· Consumption of cannabis in August 2021 in capital cities and regional areas was the highest recorded by the Program.

The Program’s data continues to demonstrate the challenges facing different cities and towns and highlights the unique characteristics of local drug markets, forming a meaningful part of bespoke solutions for each region.

“We are improving our understanding of external factors that affect consumption of drugs and the resilience of the respective drug markets,” Mr Phelan said.

The report is available from the ACIC website: www.acic.gov.au

Note to editors

In accordance with current wastewater analysis conventions, the terms of the contract, and to protect the integrity of the Program, the exact sampling locations cannot be publicly released by the ACIC. To maintain the confidentiality of the participating site, each site was allocated a unique code to de-identify their results, however trends in particular states and territories can be identified.

Media are encouraged to include help-seeking information in stories about illicit drugs to minimise any negative impact on people in the community. The following services provide people with access to support and information.

· For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.

· Access free 24/7 drug and alcohol counselling online.

· For information about drug and alcohol addiction treatment or support, go to the Turning Point website.

Flooding damages homes

Australia is facing a rental crisis that has been exacerbated by the recent flooding events, according to Pete Wargent, co-founder of Australia’s first national marketplace for buyer’s agents, BuyersBuyers.

Mr Wargent said, “rental markets were already in a tightening cycle. The floods in New South Wales and Queensland have added further pressure in certain markets, such as the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, where there was already a housing shortage, and for family-suitable housing in Brisbane.”

“All of the eight capital cities were already seeing a trend decline in vacancy rates with the honourable exception of Darwin, while many regional markets are, practically speaking, at full capacity” Mr Wargent said. 

Figure 1 – Rental vacancy rates

“Brisbane saw an estimated 15,000 homes flooded in this event, rendering potentially thousands of homes uninhabitable, and vacancy rates were already at decade lows there too. So the disruption is going to cause a good deal of friction in the rentals market.”

“More broadly, nationally the rental vacancy rate has fallen to around 1 per cent for the first time in over a decade-and-a-half, and there are further declines in the post as the international borders finally reopen and as total employment surges to record highs at over 13½ million this year” Mr Wargent said. 

Building crunch

BuyersBuyers CEO Doron Peleg said fewer new homes will be completed in 2022 as building approvals decline and the rising cost of materials and construction labour discourages development.

Mr Peleg said, “not only are financing costs set to rise but the cost of building materials and trades labour has also already jumped. The problem when you have a disaster with widespread impact such as flooding over two states is that this typically adds further pressure to the cost of labour and materials.”

“The HomeBuilder stimulus package was successful in getting more homes built for a period of time – and major renovation activity has been running hot – but approvals are now dropping away.”

Figure 2 – Detached house approvals by capital city

“Furthermore, there is considerably less demand from overseas investors, which means that attached dwelling approvals, in particular for high-rise unit developments, have failed to gain as much traction through this market cycle” Mr Peleg said. 

Figure 3 – Attached dwelling approvals by capital city

Construction insolvencies inevitable

BuyersBuyers co-founder Pete Wargent said, “the recent announcement that Probuild may be heading into administration appears likely to be canary in the coalmine for the construction sector.

Mr Wargent said, “profit margins are typically thin for developers and overlapping supply shocks have put a great deal of pressure on the cost of materials and labour.”

“Insolvencies have been exceptionally low for two years in the construction sector, but we can see that is now already changing, and further insolvencies will see many projects left incomplete as funding costs rise.”

Figure 4 – Construction insolvencies by state

“Overall, there were already a range of factors which were conspiring to put a good deal of pressure on rental markets.” 

“Talk of potential hikes in interest rates will naturally tilt the balance from buying to renting for many marginal households, and with landlords less eager to invest then the result is likely to be a rental crisis and double-digit growth in rental prices” Mr Wargent said.

United States (US) Marines have begun arriving in the Northern Territory to commence the eleventh annual rotation of the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D). 

The 2022 MRF-D will see up to 2200 US personnel conduct combined training with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) including crisis response exercises and engagement with regional partners. 

This year, for the first time, US Army personnel will deploy to work alongside and support the MRF-D. 

Commanding Officer Headquarters Northern Command, Colonel Marcus Constable said that the rotation would build on the success of last year’s deployment which coincided with the 70th anniversary of the Australia, New Zealand, and United States (ANZUS) treaty.

“Australia’s alliance with the United States is our most important defence relationship and is central to Australia’s strategic and security arrangements.” He said.

“The MRF-D is a key way we increase regional cooperation with partners in the Indo Pacific and deepen interoperability between the ADF and the US Marine Corps.”

“Together we conduct a comprehensive range of training activities including humanitarian assistance, security operations and high-end live fire exercises. These better position our forces to respond to crises in the region,” Colonel Constable said.

MRF-D Commanding Officer Colonel Christopher Steele said it was an honour to build upon the continuing legacy of the U.S. – Australia Alliance. 

“This year our Marines will be coming from Camp Pendleton in Southern California as the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force assumes this mission, working alongside our US Army and Australian Defence Force counterparts,” Colonel Steele said. 

“We are excited to serve as the first regimental headquarters to lead MRF-D, and integrate two highly capable and interoperable forces that advance our shared goals, demonstrate the strength and endurance of our alliance, and contribute to regional security.

“Being able to continue MRF-D rotations while making the necessary adjustments to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic is a testament to the alliance relationship and the discipline of our forces,” Colonel Steele said.

The procedures for managing MRF-D’s arrival, border entry protocols and possible cases of COVID-19 have been developed and agreed in full consultation with NT Health authorities and will strictly adhere to all Australian Government requirements to mitigate the risk of COVID-19.

The US Marines are expected to complete the rotation in Australia in October 2022. 

MRF-D is one of the United States Force Posture Initiatives that sits alongside an expanded program of Enhanced Air Cooperation between the Royal Australian Air Force and United States Air Force.

The Morrison Government has launched a ten-year plan to increase the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce and improve health and wellbeing outcomes.

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce Strategic Framework and Implementation Plan 2021–2031 (National Workforce Plan) was released today by the Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, and the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Ken Wyatt.

The National Workforce Plan is the first of its kind. It seeks to have Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people equally represented alongside non-Indigenous workers across the health sector by 2031.

It will mean an unprecedented increase in the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors, nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, health workers and health practitioners working across the health system through the next decade, providing culturally safe and responsive health and medical care.

The plan aims to lift the rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people working in the sector from the current 1.8 per cent to 3.43 per cent by 2031, better reflecting overall population numbers.

The plan has been designed in close partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including health leaders from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak bodies and the community-controlled health sector.

It commits all governments to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to grow and strengthen the workforce through a consistent, yet flexible, approach to increasing employment, training and leadership opportunities.

Under the plan, a wide range of actions will be implemented at a national, state and territory, and regional level across the health system. These will attract, recruit and retain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across all roles, levels and locations. Structural, systemic, organisational and personal barriers to growing and retaining a skilled workforce will be removed. There will be clear pathways for health students.

“The National Workforce Plan sets an ambitious and achievable, target,” Minister Hunt said.
Authorised by Greg Hunt MP, Liberal Party of Australia, Somerville, Victoria.

“Not only will it expand access to culturally safe care and significantly improve the health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, it will also increase economic prosperity by having First Nations people in well paid, secure employment.”

To help implement the plan, the Morrison Government has committed $53.1 million from 2022-23 to 2025-26.

This includes $11.9 million for the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association, $12.7 million for the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives, $18.9 million for Indigenous Allied Health Australia and $9.3 million for the National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners. $0.3 million in support for the National Health Leadership Forum (NHLF).

This investment builds on the $159.1 million committed since 2021-22 to support the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce.

The National Workforce Plan complements the 2020 National Agreement on Closing the Gap and the refreshed National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan. Like them, it encompasses an approach that acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership is fundamental to drive real action and change to achieve its vision.

“One of the most important features of this National Workforce Plan is that it was developed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” Minister Hunt said.

Minister for Indigenous Australians, Ken Wyatt, said the National Workforce Plan is a strong example of governments working in partnership with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled sector and communities so that policy and action are designed and delivered by those who understand community best.

“Growing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce participation across the health sector will help ensure culturally-safe, trauma-informed and responsive care is available for families and communities,” Minister Wyatt said.

“It will mean Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people feel more comfortable to access health services and experience better outcomes when they do.

“Increasing employment, training and leadership opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and embedding Indigenous knowledge and culture in our health services, will help deliver prevention-focused health services that are free of racism.”

Ministers Hunt and Wyatt thanked state and territory ministers, and the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector, for their continued commitment to the plan.

NHLF Chair, Donna Murray, said: “A strong and empowered Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce is central to improving our health outcomes.

“The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce brings culturally safe perspectives and practices into a western biomedical focused health system. Culture is a protective factor – a positive determinant of health – that strengthens our identity, and our connection to community and Country.

“We are committed to achieving health equity, and we draw strength from cultural integrity, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing. The NHLF welcomes the release of the National Workforce Plan and look forward to continuing to work in partnership with governments to develop the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework.”

The Morrison Government is providing more than $35.9 million to ensure communities affected by the East Coast floods can continue to access vital health services and additional mental health support.

The widespread floods in Queensland and New South Wales have had a devastating effect – and the impacts on many thousands of Australians will be felt for years to come.

The Government recognises immediate health support is required to assist local residents to get back on their feet, support their families and rebuild their lives.

Mental health and trauma support for adults, youth and children

The Morrison Government is providing $31.2 million over two years for additional mental health support for Australians effected by the floods.

This includes

• $16.6 million for local mental health services to meet immediate psychological needs of communities, including:
  • $13.5 million to boost availability of psychological therapies delivered by local service providers.
  • $2.4 million for local Aboriginal community-controlled health organisations to deliver culturally appropriate, locally designed mental health services in impacted communities.
  • $200,000 to assist the Queensland Program of Assistance to Survivors of Torture and Trauma provide psychological support for current clients impacted by the floods.
  • $500,000 to ensure the Australian Psychological Society can continue to deploy its Disaster Response Network of over 500 trauma-trained psychologists.
• $9 million to support the mental health of children and young people, including:
  • $4.5 million to fund headspace services currently impacted by the floods, including funding to rebuild or relocate headspace Lismore and provide outreach services to Ballina and surrounding regions.
  • $4.5 million to provide dedicated services to impacted children and young people, with a focus on working through school communities, provided by Royal Far West.
• $1.2 million to accelerate the establishment of a Head to Health centre in Lismore, with a particular focus on trauma recovery and PTSD treatment.
• $3 million towards Wellbeing and Resilience Grants that allow communities the opportunity to choose their response to the loss, anxiety and distress they have experienced, as well as actively participate in their recovery

The Morrison Government recognises the significant impact multiple disasters, including the floods, the COVID-19 pandemic and bushfires, are having on individuals, families and communities, and is providing significant investment to better support recovery from this most recent disaster.

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said these measures will ensure immediate and longer-term mental health support for individuals, families, and communities affected by the disaster, and will also include a range of community recovery initiatives.

“Importantly, this package of support will be provided over the next two years because we know support won’t just be needed in the next few months, and people living in flood-affected regions of QLD and NSW will need substantial ongoing support,” Minister Hunt said.

“Mental health is one of the Morrison Government’s highest priorities and we will continue to ensure that all Australians can access the mental health support and treatment they need, no matter where they are.”

Immediate healthcare supports

The Morrison Government is providing $4.7 million to ensure continuity of primary health care services for flood-impacted Australians, particularly in worst hit communities.

This includes:

• $2.5 million for primary health care emergency response teams to ensure urgent access to health services in flood-impacted regions.
• $1.5 million to establish a shared temporary business premises in Lismore for displaced local primary health care providers to ensure delivery of health services for Lismore.
• $700,000 to create a temporary surge workforce able to meet the current emergency need in Lismore and a longer-term capacity to meet demand if practices are inoperable or GPs need respite for the medium term.

“In the immediate term, our Government will provide support to help ensure continuity of primary health care services – including the vital services provided by general practices, pharmacies and mental health providers. This support is essential to help affected communities respond to the urgent challenges they face” said Minister Hunt.

MBS telehealth continues to be available across affected regions. An exemption has been made to normal MBS rules so people in flood-affected regions don’t have to have an existing relationship with a GP to access MBS-subsidised telehealth services (video and phone).

Primary Health Networks (PHNs) in significantly flood affected regions will be funded to support their emergency response activities. In particular, the PHNs will work with primary health care providers in their regions and with relevant state and local agencies to help ensure affected communities are able to access urgent primary and mental health care services.

In the severely impacted northern NSW community of Lismore, locum support for general practices and pharmacies will bolster the local workforce and assist in providing continuity of health care for residents where a number of general practices and pharmacies have been forced to close.

Temporary shared practice accommodation is also being established in Lismore for displaced primary health care providers, including general practitioners, pharmacists, allied health providers, mental health service providers and dentists.

Contacts for support

Anyone experiencing distress can also seek immediate advice and support through Lifeline (13 11 14), Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), or the Government’s digital mental health gateway, Head to Health.

If you are concerned about suicide, living with someone who is considering suicide, or bereaved by suicide, the Suicide Call Back Service is available at 1300 659 467 or www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au

Young Australians needing support can access free services through Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), their local headspace or online through eheadspace.

More children of Australian veterans and Defence personnel will receive additional support thanks to a new $13.7 million investment in the successful Kookaburra Kids ‘Defence Kids’ mental health program.

This new investment comes as Kookaburra Kids celebrates its 20^th year of providing services. It builds on our Government’s investment of $2.1 million for a pilot of the Defence Kids program in 2016 and $7.7 million to expand the program in 2018.

The additional funding will see the program expanded to more regional areas: Wagga Wagga, Albury/Wodonga, the Mornington Peninsula, Bendigo, Ballarat, and Geelong.

For the first time, services will also be available for children in north and south Tasmania.

The Prime Minister said the Defence Kids program was making a massive difference to the lives of children of Defence families, and the funding would ensure it could reach even more kids and families.

“Being a kid can be tough enough, and there can be added challenges for kids from Defence and veteran families,” the Prime Minister said.

“Often, our Defence kids have to move away from friends, they change schools and they deal with a parent being away for extended periods of time or who may be facing mental health challenges.

“The Kookaburra Kids Defence Kids program helps kids to manage these challenges, and brings them together with others facing similar experiences.

“We want to give our Defence kids as much support as possible, and give our veterans and Defence members the confidence that their families are well looked after. The extension of this program will ensure just that.

“I also congratulate Kookaburra Kids on their 20^th anniversary. From their start in the Shire, to now reaching out across the nation to help thousands more kids, it’s truly great work.”

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Andrew Gee said the additional funding would grow the program across the regions and provide access to even more kids.

“The Kookaburra Kids program has already had more than 4,300 engagements with children in the Defence and veteran community, and this significant additional investment will see more children reap the benefits,” Minister Gee said.

“Kids aged 8-18 years old can get involved by attending camps and activity days where they develop coping skills and resilience, building up their mental health while understanding their unique experience.

“The program delivers tailored, evidence-based, age-appropriate education, prevention and early intervention mental health services.

“Prevention is key in supporting our Defence kids and providing them with the help they need to thrive. I’m extremely supportive of anything that supports our Defence families.”

The funding will also see face-to-face services continue in all mainland capital cities as well as the regional centres of Townsville, the Hunter, Wollongong, Shoalhaven and the NSW South Coast.

To find out more about the Kookaburra Kids ‘Defence Kids’ program visit: https://kookaburrakids.org.au/our-programs/defence-kids-activities/

The Morrison Government is demonstrating its commitment to supporting the growth of one of Australia’s most important industries by launching a major campaign today highlighting a generation of jobs in Australia’s defence industries.

The “In our own backyard” campaign will begin on television, radio and across social media over the coming days and weeks.

The campaign highlights that the skills Australians have displayed for generations building “stuff” in their backyards are now in great demand to fill the jobs in our growing defence industries, which supply the Australian Defence Force with the products and services it needs to protect Australia and its national interests.

Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said Australia’s defence capability required robust, resilient and internationally competitive defence industries.

“We must be able to build what we need at home to defend ourselves when we need it and the COVID-19 pandemic has shone a light on just how critical that is,” Minister Price said.

“The Morrison Government is investing an unprecedented $270 billion in Defence capabilities over the next 10 years.

“The level of Government investment in our defence industries has grown significantly and as a result the number of jobs created to support this growth is increasing at a rapid rate.

“Our significant investment is reliant on us supporting the growth of strong, robust, and skilled Australian defence industries.

“Our nationwide investments in naval shipbuilding alone will create 15,000 jobs across the country by the end of the decade.

“We want Australians to understand that there are and will continue to be incredible opportunities for skilled people within our defence industries and that will continue for many years to come.”

Minister Price said Australia’s many defence industries had been built on Australian creativity and ingenuity and those skills were critical as the nation sought to stay a step ahead of adversaries who would seek to do us harm in a deteriorating strategic environment.

“During the next decade and beyond, this exciting and expanding sector will rely upon a workforce with skills in design, engineering, manufacturing, project management and logistics, as well as all aspects of support services from training and simulation to ICT support,” Minister Price said.

“That is the focus of our new campaign.

“From large multi-national companies to medium and small Aussie businesses, the creativity and ingenuity on display right across Australia points to the fact that there are many opportunities for skilled Australians to find fulfilling, well-paid jobs.

“We must ensure we have the most cutting-edge technology available to the men and women of the ADF.”

Minister Price said she was excited to promote the career opportunities in the new campaign, which would build awareness of the extensive opportunities across a range of sectors that contribute to Australia’s defence capability.

“There will be fantastic opportunities for workers across Australia over the coming decades and we must ensure we harness the skills we have in our own backyard to fill the jobs in our growing and important defence industries,” Minister Price said.

A GROUP OF Australia’s highest ranking, former emergency service chiefs today issued a scathing statement on the Morrison Government’s failure to prepare for and help alleviate the horrific impacts of the flooding disaster.

Emergency Leaders for Climate Action* (ELCA) is launching the statement in Brisbane today, citing evidence that the Government was warned ahead of the 2022 floods and did little. The handling of this disaster echoes the lack of national preparation in the lead up to the Black Summer bushfires when the Government ignored warnings months before the disastrous fires hit.

The press conference coincides with a full page ad in The Courier Mail calling on the Federal Government to better equip emergency services to respond.

Former Commissioner of Fire & Rescue NSW, one of Australia’s longest-ever serving fire chiefs and now leader of Emergency Leaders for Climate Action Greg Mullins said:

“The Federal Government’s fumbling of this flood disaster is Black Summer all over again. Last October, charity leaders met with the Federal Government and were warned of massive flooding this summer. The Government knew what was coming and it did not adequately prepare our communities or first responders.

“Time and again this Government fails to listen to expert advice. There are 80 recommendations of the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements gathering dust. The Government has failed to implement them. Our elected leaders in Canberra are failing communities right around the country impacted by this disaster, and the thousands of emergency service volunteers and professionals who willingly place their own lives in danger by responding to increasingly frequent and dangerous climate-fuelled disasters.

“Those of us who do hold hoses know just how dangerous climate change has become. Australia is under-prepared, and Canberra has no answers to how it will rapidly slash emissions this decade.”

Former Commissioner of the Queensland Fire & Emergency Services Lee Johnson, an ELCA member, said: “We Queenslanders are familiar with floods. We live in Australia’s most disaster-prone state. But the disasters of today are not like the disasters of the past. Over my decades of service I experienced floods and bushfires that were more frequent and intense, and cyclones that were more damaging. These climate-fuelled changes led to the fire and rescue service introducing swift-water rescue capabilities under my watch. I remember in that first year we conducted over 100 water rescues of people in serious trouble. In the lead up to these floods even more water was dumped on Queensland than in the lead up to the 2011 disaster – something I thought I’d never see, but the records keep tumbling. This is climate change in action and we’re all in danger.”

Former Deputy Director General of the NSW State Emergency Service, ELCA member and flood expert Chas Keys: “This disaster’s shown us that we can’t continue with business as usual. Bandying about terms like ‘one-in-500 year’ flood is meaningless to people who are experiencing such disasters repeatedly. Above all else, we need the Federal Government to take climate change seriously by cutting back drastically on the mining and burning of fossil fuels. We also need to reset the way we manage disasters, with spending between mitigation versus relief and recovery completely out of kilter. There is no more manageable hazard in Australia than flooding: we know where it will occur, we’re usually warned ahead of it and we can predict what its effects will be. We’re just not managing this risk well, and it hurts us over and over again to a greater extent than it should.”

Former Commissioner and ACT Emergency Services Authority, and ELCA member, Major General Peter Dunn: “I know what it’s like to so helplessly witness my community torn apart by a disaster. During Black Summer the fires ripped through Lake Conjola and soon after, we were dealing with a flood. We had no support. We were left to pick up the pieces ourselves. Communities are once again being left behind and it’s clear the lessons of Black Summer have not been learned. I was among the chorus of voices who in 2019 warned the Morrison government that a severe fire season was coming. And we were ignored. Late last year, the Federal Government was similarly briefed about the high risk of this year’s floods. Yet they were not prepared. After every disaster, the Federal Government initiates an enquiry but fails to implement the recommendations. More than two years after Black Summer and many Australians are still living in tents. Are the victims of these floods to expect the same? As climate change escalates these disasters, history cannot continue to repeat itself. And we can’t expect the ADF to carry the load. The common denominator is the feeling of abandonment and lack of Federal Government preparedness to respond to these increasingly fierce disasters and address climate change at its root cause: the extraction and burning of fossil fuels.”

A third Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster flight has delivered military assistance to the Ukrainian Government.