Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Emergency Management) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Grogan for her question, and I join her in thanking the many paid and volunteer firefighters and emergency service workers across Australia that are facing some really tough conditions. Australia is, unfortunately, one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, and this is our busy season. In the lead-up to the season, the National Emergency Management Agency has conducted the largest ever preparedness program, directly engaging over 2½ thousand people through information sessions and running crisis scenarios to get us ready for the season ahead. This week, I'm also speaking with parliamentarians across this place, on both sides of the aisle—and I thank all parliamentarians for this—to talk about the risks that their communities are facing and how they can prepare.

As Senator Grogan mentioned, we are already seeing an increased risk of bushfire in parts of South Australia and crossing over into Victoria. We've also seen bushfires impacting Western Australia, the Northern Territory and parts of Queensland. On the east coast, communities are preparing for a season of severe storms and east coast lows. Up north, we can expect a higher than average chance of severe cyclones possibly drawing further south than usual as a consequence of the very warm conditions.

We should all be prepared for the risk of heatwaves. These are the largest killer of all of the natural hazards. They are a risk to communities in New South Wales and Queensland today. We can all play our part as parliamentarians to inform our communities by amplifying official sources and helping our communities to be prepared and to be ready in case of natural disaster.