The Committee recommends that PCS receive adequate funding for the 2023-24 EPSDD BOP to ensure all access maintenance activities listed as Priority 1, and that these activities are completed.

To quickly address unreliable power supply to known areas at risk of prolonged power outages, by December 2024 or earlier, the Minister for Energy should apply a licence condition for AusNet to: a. Improve realiability of the specified feeders; and b. Install network connection points to enable rapid installation of temporary generation in key township locations.

To support reliable electricity supply to communities impacted by prolonged power outages, a minimum service level standard should be introduced for Victorian distribution feeders, which if breached, requires remediation by the relevant distribution business. The service level standard must account for customers’ experience of prolonged power outages. This recommendation should be implemented by June 2025.

The Victorian Government make explicit the support agency role of transmission and distribution businesses for electricity emergencies in the State Emergency Management Plan.

The Victorian Government amend the Emergency Management Act 2013 to:
a. allow the Minister responsible for the essential services of fuel, light and power to issue guidelines to ensure the responsible entity addresses the people, resources, governance, systems and processes, and the like required to support operational resilience of electricity as an essential service; and
b. require the statement of attestation to be approved by the entity board, council or other governing body, as the case requires.

The Victorian Government consider implementing a principle based overarching consumer duty either through legislation or relevant regulatory instruments.

The Inspector-General of Emergency Management recommends that by October 2025 the Queensland Police Service, as part of the ‘State Disaster Management Plan (SDMP) and the Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Recovery Disaster Management Guideline (the Guideline) Review and Renewal Program’, provide clarity in the following key areas of the doctrine:
- evacuation terminology and procedures
- audience and purpose of local disaster management plans
- parameters for sharing of personal information during and after disasters
- transitional arrangements — roles and responsibilities when moving from response to recovery operations
- relief terminology.

That to build the capability of member agencies to use informal volunteers and embed this in doctrine and operations, the State Emergency Management Committee:
a. Establish an Informal Volunteers Working Group to build professional practice and coordinate and align activity to refresh sub and supporting plans and establish operational models for the engagement and coordination of volunteers.
b. Publish guidance materials and resources to support the engagement and coordination of informal volunteers.
c. Develop options for a shared platform to match, register, induct, task and offboard informal volunteers.

The NSW State Emergency Management Plan be updated to recognise and expressly enable the use of informal volunteers as part of emergency management arrangements.

The State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989 and the NSW State Emergency Management Plan be updated to recognise the contribution of emergency volunteers.

The NSW Reconstruction Authority repurpose the funding previously provided for one-off spontaneous volunteering grants to each local council to support a more comprehensive, targeted approach to building community capability to support informal volunteering comprised of:
a. The provision of training and support to councils in high disaster risk areas to support them to build their capability to coordinate community based informal volunteers.
b. The engagement of an expert, external organisation to coordinate, train and support informal volunteers in the recovery stage of disaster events when it is warranted by the scale of the disaster, volunteer interest and potential risks.
c. Grants to support businesses, non-government organisations and community groups in high disaster risk areas with locally developed initiatives to build community resilience and capability.

WALGA recommends that the SEMC abolish the current one-sizefits all LEMA model template and develop a suite of LEMA guidance material and practical tools. New LEMA guidance and resources should:
- reduce the LEMA administration burden for LGs
- provide clear instructions and step-by-step procedures for LGs
- be separated into strategic and operational documents/templates
- be simplified and made more user-friendly for a LG audience
- be scalable and flexible to accommodate different LG capacities and capabilities
- focus more on the legislative obligations and remit of LG
- remove generic state-level information, and
- enable more collaboration and resource sharing between LGs.

To ensure that the LEMA Review leads to improved LEMA processes and outputs that are responsive to the needs and capacity of the WA LG sector, WALGA recommends that the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and SEMC approve and secure funding for a three-year LEMA Improvement Project to implement the LEMA Review improvement actions (August 2023 – August 2026).

That the Reform Implementation Taskforce seeks clarity on all Memoranda of Understanding and agreements that are currently in scope as a result of the proposed Machinery of Government changes.

That this Review report be returned to the Office of the Inspector-General of Emergency Management to monitor, evaluate and report on progress and implementation of the recommendations that are accepted in whole or in part by government.

That clear lines of reporting be established between any appointed State Recovery Coordinator and the State Recovery Policy and Planning Coordinator.

That the roles and Terms of Reference of all current state and national disaster management committees that are non-hazard specific, and that reflect state disaster management arrangements and policy, be tabled at the Reform Implementation Taskforce for discussion and consideration of future representation.

That, for the recommendations arising from this review, the Office of the Inspector-General of Emergency Management is involved in consultation prior to the finalisation of the government action plan, to align intended actions with the intent of the recommendations.

That, to support the State Recovery and Resilience Group, the Functional Recovery Groups expand their remit to incorporate resilience and be renamed Functional Recovery and Resilience Groups.

The Inspector-General of Emergency Management recommends the following change to the way that Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements are supported through Queensland’s Disaster Management Arrangements:
a. That the Queensland Reconstruction Authority be Queensland’s lead agency coordinating Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. Ministerial responsibility for activation of Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements should transfer from the Minister for Police and Corrective Services and Minister for Fire and Emergency Services, to the Minister responsible for the Queensland Reconstruction Authority.

That, in the 2027/28 financial year, the Inspector-General of Emergency Management partner with the Queensland Police Service and Queensland Reconstruction Authority to review the implementation of the Machinery of Government changes, and revised Queensland Disaster Management Arrangements.

That a State Recovery and Resilience Group be established and embedded in the Queensland Disaster Management Arrangements alongside the State Disaster Coordination Group, to focus on disaster management functions outside of response. The Queensland Reconstruction Authority should lead the establishment of the State Recovery and Resilience Group, develop the Terms of Reference and chair the group.

That there should be one State Disaster Management Plan that succinctly describes all of Queensland’s Disaster Management Arrangements, supported by separate sub-plans across the Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Recovery comprehensive model, including Resilience, mirroring the new governance structure. The State Disaster Management Plan should be reviewed biannually and/or following debriefs from significant disaster operations where relevant.

That the Reform Implementation Taskforce determines the most appropriate agency to manage the ongoing whole-of-government coordination of implementation and reporting on the recommendations of the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements. Until this time, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services should continue to progress implementation of recommendations, in consultation with the Reform Implementation Taskforce.

That the State Disaster Coordination Group revert to a single Chair arrangement (chaired by a Senior Queensland Police Officer), focused on response and the aspect of preparedness for, and resilience in, response. The Terms of Reference should be amended to incorporate this and other changes to its role and functions.

That the final composition of the Emergency Relief subcommittee’s inner and outer core membership be a joint responsibility of the Queensland Police Service, the Queensland Reconstruction Authority and the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning, in consultation with the State Disaster Coordinator and the State Recovery Policy and Planning Coordinator.

That any open Queensland Fire and Emergency Services recommendations made by the Inspector-General of Emergency Management, that are not hazard specific, transition to the Queensland Police Service at a time to be identified by the Reform Implementation Taskforce. Queensland Fire and Emergency Services should continue to progress implementation of recommendations, in consultation with the Queensland Police Service, until Machinery of Government changes are implemented.

That an Emergency Relief Subcommittee of the State Disaster Coordination Group and the State Recovery and Resilience Group be established to reflect a strong partnership arrangement to address all aspects of Emergency Relief. The roles of Chair and Deputy Chair are to be determined via consultation between the Queensland Police Service, the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, and the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning.

Review, refine and implement the joint ESA/EPSDD Arrangement for Fire Management in the ACT with the previous recommendation in mind.

The Emergencies Act 2004 be amended so that the powers, including delegations, available to an EC be granted on their appointment and remain in place under the same section of the Act for the duration of their appointment rather than being drawn from different sections of the Act that are dependent on the existing alert state for the specified event.

The Emergency Plan and ECC Ops Plan be amended to better articulate the delivery of emergency management vs the delivery of the emergency plan. The Plan should facilitate principles for emergency management and clear role delineations whilst allowing flexibility in how the mechanisms are structured.

The Emergencies Act 2004 be amended to allow for the provision for a Deputy Emergency Controller to be appointed, independent of the initial appointment of an EC. The powers and functions of this appointment to be contingent on the absence of the EC.

The Government consider amendments to the Emergencies Act to include provision for a Deputy ESA Commissioner.

The Emergencies Act 2004 be amended to allow for the appointment of the EC to be made for a discretionary time period of up to 28 days with the requirement for a legislated review of the appointment to be removed. Alternatively, a period of review should fall within the Chief Ministers discretion for up to seven (7) days following appointment.

The Emergency Plan be amended to better reflect the intent of the Emergencies Act in the establishment of a Management Executive, separate to SEMSOG, on the appointment of an EC. It should describe the role of SEMSOG and the Management Executive as distinct in the emergency management architecture.

Government consider adopting a similar model to NSW for the management of emergency costs and reimbursements within ACT Government agencies.

Government consider an alternative funding arrangement for extraordinary costs borne by Government agencies in combating emergencies such as bushfires.

The ACT Emergencies Act 2004 be amended to clarify that the powers of the EC encompass the power to direct agencies and directorates to share personal information for the preservation of life and protection of Canberrans.
For example: Direct a person to give information, answer questions or produce documents or anything else, reasonably needed. To remove any doubt, a direction to provide information that is given to a person includes information that person has access to on behalf of an organisation or entity that holds relevant information.

That Government work with other Australian governments to provide long-term funding certainty to AFAC, including the National Resource Sharing Centre (NRSC) and the National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC).

That, to strengthen cross-agency accountability and deliver improved bush fire risk management outcomes:
a) Bush Fire Coordinating Committee (BFCC) members from NSW government agencies are at the level of Coordinator General/Deputy Secretary/Agency Head/Deputy Commissioner (or equivalent)
b) the BFCC ensures all Bush Fire Risk Management Plans, Operation Coordination Plans and Fire Access and Fire Trail (FAFT) Plans are compliant with the timeframes outlined in section 52 of the Rural Fires Act as soon as practicable
c) the BFCC develops a risk-based performance auditing cycle to ensure Bush Fire Risk Management Plans, Operation Coordination Plans and FAFT Plans are fit-for-purpose and any opportunities for improvement are identified and actioned
d) the NSW RFS considers the best way of enhancing the transparency of BFCC decision-making, for example by publishing BFCC membership and minutes on its website
e) the BFCC endorses the annual statement to Parliament on the likely fire risk and the effectiveness of planning and preparation
f) relevant agencies review Bush Fire Management Committee (BFMC) membership and confirm to the NSW RFS that members have sufficient discretion and authority to agree and implement risk mitigation activities at the local level
g) the NSW RFS Commissioner amends the BFMC Policy to require BFMCs to refer unresolved issues to the BFCC for resolution.

That the NSW RFS Commissioner consult with the Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner and other emergency services to develop a protocol in the event that simultaneous emergency events necessitate the re-allocation of resources while a Section 44 declaration is in place.

That, in order to enhance fire fighting strategies in severe conditions, the NSW RFS implements the following in respect to backburning:
a) establish protocols for each category (tactical and strategic) within their operational and training doctrine. These protocols should include lessons learnt from the 2019-20 season
b) modify ‘ICON’ to implement the capability to record all backburns, including whether or not they break containment lines
c) when fire conditions are approaching Severe or above, an independent review must be undertaken at State Operations Level before strategic backburns are implemented
d) where there is significant concern within a community regarding a backburn, the NSW RFS should undertake a community engagement session with affected residents to discuss the backburn, including any investigation and relevant findings.

That Government amend the Rural Fires Act 1997 so that all public land management agencies be required to forward complaints received about bush fire hazards to the Commissioner of the NSW RFS. As an interim measure, heads of agencies should commence this practice immediately.

Ensure sufficient investment in controls across the PPRR spectrum with a focus on Prevention and Mitigation.

Develop a strategic plan for the operation and management of the seismic monitoring network in Tasmania.

Increased regulation of landslide risk assessment.

Investigate the costs and benefits in enhancing the current Tsunami detection buoy network.

Develop innovative response models of patient care to improve surge capacity.

Develop SOP for recovery package.

Review current all-hazards emergency management arrangements to evaluate if they adequately address Tsunami response and recovery requirements.

Create a stakeholder plan template to aid heatwave preparedness and response in facilities occupied by people vulnerable to heatwaves (e.g. nursing homes)

Formalise response triage arrangements.

Investigate the costs and benefits of delivering a public education and awareness program.

Integrate clean-up arrangements into emergency plans.

Review State Special Emergency Plan: Human Influenza Pandemic Emergencies.

Investigate the costs and benefits in enhancing the current Tsunami warning arrangements with signage and audible warning systems at key exposed locations (e.g. Port Arthur and Kingston Beach).

Integrate Storage Operating Rules with downstream flood response plans.

Develop a flexible plan for establishing flu-specific services.

That the State Government recognises the legal status of rural fire brigades as per Crown Law advice and addressed by Recommendations from this Review.

That Rural Fire Service Queensland undertake a risk management process for rural fire Brigade profiles across Queensland based on the principles in the Rural Fire Brigade Risk Management Guide, July 1999, and updated as necessary.

That the State Government contribution towards the purchase of operational vehicles is to be retained at 80 percent but that the District Inspector can recommend full Government subsidy of vehicles for Brigades experiencing financial hardship.

That the focus of Rural Fire Service Queensland will be the protection of life, property and the environment from the threat and impact of wildfire.

That the State Government contribution towards the construction of Brigade sheds be changed from $10,000 to a maximum of 25 percent, subject to the approval of the Deputy Chief Officer, Rural Fire Service Queensland.

When a local Rural Fire Brigade requests an equipment and maintenance levy from a local government authority, that authority will either supply the brigade’s equipment and maintenance costs or raise the requested levy. The amount to be collected is to be agreed between the local Brigade and the local government authority.

That the current Urban Fire Levy be changed to the Queensland Fire Levy.

ESWG recommends investigation of options to fund NGERAC’s on-going activities including through AEMO’s funding model.

Bushfire Management Committees will have the following functions:
- Develop, implement and monitor a Bushfire Management Plan for its area of responsibility;
- Forum for discussion and familiarisation between organisations, agencies and individuals, leading to cooperative and coordinated bushfire management;
- Forum for discussion between the community and organisations/agencies;
- Monitoring and reporting bushfire management activities to the State Bushfire Coordination Committee;
- Collaborative community education and consultation;
- Refer issues and recommendations with wider policy implications to the State Bushfire Coordination Committee;
- Required to meet quarterly with a period of time set aside that is devoted as “question-time’ for individuals and the community;
- Required to hold a minimum of one community forum each year;
- Reports to the State Bushfire Coordination Committee.

The principle of developing Codes of Practice for Bushfire Management, referenced in the SA Fire and Emergency Services Act and Regulations 2005 be endorsed and further developed by the State Bushfire Coordination Committee.

The requirement to establish Regional Bushfire Prevention Committees under section 73 of the SA Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005, is removed.

The State Bushfire Coordination Committee will have the following members with experience in bushfire management:
- The Chief Officer, SACFS, who is the Chairperson;
- An officer of the SA Metropolitan Fire Service;
- An officer from Forestry SA;An officer of the Department of Environment and Heritage;
- A person from the Local Government Association of South Australia;
- A person from the Farmers Federation of South Australia;
- An officer of Planning SA with bushfire-prone areas development experience;
- A person from the Conservation Council of South Australia;
- A person from the Natural Resource Management Council;
- An officer of SA Water;
- A person from the Outback Areas Community Development Trust;
- A SACFS officer who is a volunteer, nominated by the Volunteer Fire Brigades Association;
- An officer from the Department for Transport and Infrastructure;
- An officer from SA Police;
- An Executive Officer from the SA Country Fire Service.
- Planning SA, Natural Resource Management Council,

SA Country Fire Service to be responsible for Bushfire Management Plan preparation, analysis of future risks trends based on investigation and executive support to Bushfire Management Committees.

The SA Bushfire Prevention Advisory Committee established under section 71 of the SA Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005, is removed and replaced with the State Bushfire Coordination Committee.

The State Bushfire Coordination Committee will have the following functions:
- Develop policy, procedures, codes of practice and standards for bushfire management in South Australia;
- Develop, implement and monitor the State Bushfire Management Plan, which will be the Bushfire Hazard Plan under the Emergency Management Act 2004;
- Governance and performance monitoring of bushfire management activities;
- Ensure that there is state-wide coordination and integration of all bushfire management activities;
- Provide advice, guidance and direction on policy for Bushfire Management Committees;
- Convene an Annual Forum for Bushfire Management Committees;
- Resolve disputes at the Bushfire Management Committee level;
- Constitutes and determines the area of responsibility of a Bushfire Management Committee; 
- May, at any time, establish advisory groups;
- Make recommendations to the Minister;
- Report to Minister on matters referred by Minister;
- Reports to the Minister for Emergency Services through the SA Fire and Emergency Services Commission Board.

The area of responsibility for Bushfire Management Committees will be established based on bushfire risk and the capacity of the area to cooperate and collaborate.

The requirement to establish a Bushfire Management Committee is inserted into the SA Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005.

Bushfire Management Committees be given the appropriate powers under the SA Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005 to ensure that bushfire management strategies that have been identified in a Bushfire Management Plan or any other action to reduce bushfire risk, are completed by individuals, the community, agencies or organisations.

The State Bushfire Coordination Committee work with the Native Vegetation Council to develop more streamlined processes for the prescribed burning of native vegetation for hazard reduction.

The requirement for a rural council to appoint a suitably qualified Fire Prevention Officer under section 77 of the SA Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005 is removed.

Bushfire Management Committees will have the following members who reside and/or are employed/assigned in the area of responsibility, with experience in bushfire management:
- A regional officer of the SA Country Fire Service;
- A senior SACFS officer(s), who is a volunteer, nominated by the Volunteer Fire Brigades Association, with a maximum of two;
- A local government officer(s), nominated by the relevant Regional Local Government Association, with a maximum of two;
- An officer of the SA Metropolitan Fire Service, where applicable;
- An officer from Forestry SA, where applicable;
- An officer of the Department of Environment and Heritage, where applicable; A landholder recommended by the Farmers Federation of South Australia;
- An officer of South Australian Police;
- An officer from the Department of Transport and Infrastructure, where applicable;
- A person nominated by the Natural Resource Management Board(s);
- An officer of SA Water, where applicable;
- A person nominated by the community;
- Any other member with relevant bushfire management experience approved by the State Bushfire Coordination Committee;
- An Executive Officer from the SA Country Fire Service.

The current provisions for permit to light and maintain fire under Section 81 of the SA Fire and Emergency Services Act and Regulations 2005 to be reviewed for improvement with an accreditation for a self-regulation process.

The requirement for a rural council to establish a District Bushfire Prevention Committees under section 75 of the SA Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005 is removed.

The Working Group recommends that agreed national protocols be developed to manage the integration of overseas workers and international aid into an affected jurisdiction. 

The Working Group recommends that a review of the operation of the Commonwealth Mutual Recognition Act 1992 be conducted and that agreed national protocols be developed to manage the integration of
supplementary personnel (paid staff and registered volunteers) into State/Territory emergency management arrangements. These procedures should consider issues of legal protection and indemnity for those workers. 

The Working Group recommends that jurisdictions review their emergency management arrangements (plans, legislation, etc) to ensure that they are able to mitigate, respond to and recover from disasters, and maximise the duration of self reliance that can be achieved.

The whole of government disaster plan should also be written in such a way as to manage continuity of national government, ensure delivery of key services for which the Australian Government has responsibility and establish (or document existing) command and control mechanisms.