John Faulkner (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yesterday, Senator Bob Brown asked me a question about the regional disaster response. I indicated to Senator Brown that I would provide that to him, and I seek leave to incorporate that in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The answer read as follows—

Question Time, Monday 1 September 2008

Additional Information for Senator Brown - Regional Disaster Response

The Australian Government responds quickly to disasters through the deployment of trained people, essential supplies and transport assets. These can be sourced quickly, through partners, such as United Nations and Non-Government Organisations, which in some cases already have a presence on the ground. Personnel, transport assets, and essential supplies can also be sourced from Australian Government agencies.

The Australia government drew on these resources in May 2008 to assist the Burmese people after Cyclone Nargis and the Chinese people after the Sichuan earthquake.

Australia coordinates responses closely with affected countries, other assisting countries and international organisations.

While Australia does respond quickly, the Government is looking at ways that the international community can improve responses.

The Prime Minister and Indonesian President Yudhoyono announced in June 2008 that they would take a proposal on improving coordination of regional

disaster response work to the APEC Leaders’ Meeting in Lima, Peru this year (November 2008). A joint Australia-Indonesia feasibility study into a regional centre for disaster management and coordination, announced by the Prime Minister, will assist in this regard.

As part of the feasibility study, the Government will work to ensure the effective integration of other regional disaster mechanisms including those involving the ASEAN Regional Forum and ASEAN itself.