The Fire Services develop a joint protocol for each Fire Service to notify the other of fires reported from fire towers

The Fire Services ensure that agency specific operational procedures fully align with the arrangements.

The State Fire Management Council work with local government councils to improve the availability of relevant professional development.

Funding be sought to enable the State Fire Management Council to take a greater coordination role for bushfire risk management and mitigation.

Tasmanian entities with responsibilities for bushfire management actively pursue national consistency of warning systems and emergency warning signals through national bodies such as the National Emergency Management Committee.

Local government councils implement a zoning approach to fuel management as recommended by COAG 2004.

The State Fire Management Council support the further development of the Bushfire Risk Assessment Model with a view to it becoming the central information source for use by all entities with responsibility for fire management and mitigation.

The Local Government Association of Tasmania advocate, coordinate and support local councils’ input of bushfire risk assets data into the Bushfire Risk Assessment Model.

The State Fire Management Council work with all entities with responsibility for bushfire management to develop a state-wide position on performance indicators and promote that view nationally.

Local government councils should move promptly to: adopt the Tasmania Fire Service Guidelines for Development in Bushfire Prone Areas of Tasmania give effect to the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment Neighbouring Developments and Fire Management Policy.

Local government councils should: strongly encourage owners to make improvements to construction or increase buffers in order to meet minimum safety standards implement programs to audit impacted properties and issue abatement notices where necessary monitor and maintain their reserves to ensure

The Tasmania Fire Service, the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment and Forestry Tasmania pursue funding from the Commonwealth (Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations), in line with COAG Recommendation 11.2, namely that the states and territories and

The Tasmania Fire Service, the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment and Forestry Tasmania continue to encourage the relevant national bodies to further implement the COAG 2004 recommendation, namely: ...

The Committee recommends that Parliament establish a standing committee for natural disasters.

The Committee recommends the provision of substantial funds to improve road infrastructure in the Mitcham Hills to be spent over the 2010/11, 2011/12, 2012/13 and 2013/14 budgets.

that QFRS cover the cost of annual vehicle inspection certificates for rural fire brigade registered vehicles.

that the for Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Emergency Services implement system of fire levies for landholders situated in urban, iZone and village brigade areas.

that the for Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Emergency Services undertake a thorough review, including consultation with rural fire brigades, regarding the proposed formula for distribution of funding.

that the Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Emergency Services undertake a comprehensive legal review in order to clarify the legal position of RFBs and their members.

that QFRS include consultation with rural fire brigades as mandatory when boundary changes are proposed.

that the for Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Emergency Services ensure that the formula for distribution of funding as recommended above allows rural fire brigades to control any donation or sponsorship funding raised by individual brigades.

that the QFRS investigate the possibility of insurance recovery when involved in vehicle retrieval activities at accident sites.

that QFRS investigate and implement an internal email system for rural fire brigades.

that the Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Local Government and Special Minister of State establish with local government a communication strategy to inform all residents about their fire prevention responsibilities.

that QFRS update its website to include the Rural Fire Service as part of its www.fire.qld.gov.au web presence.

that QFRS implement procedures to provide a clear grievance process which is available to rural fire brigade volunteers.

that QFRS implement procedures to ensure that rural fire brigades receive written confirmation of the Commissioner’s approval after office bearer elections in compliance with section 81 of the Fire and Rescue Service Act 1990.

that QFRS should establish a Rural Fire Service division within QFRS with the aim of integrating and strengthening the relationship between the urban and rural fire services.

that QFRS establish the position of Assistant Commissioner, Rural Fire Service to lead the proposed Rural Fire Service division within QFRS.

that QFRS undertake a thorough review of Firecom’s systems, including data integrity and dispatch procedures.

That the Queensland Reconstruction Authority review and approve the draft organisational policies and procedures, in the areas of human resources, finance, communications and information technology.

That the Queensland Reconstruction Authority develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure the adequate management and security of public records in accordance with the Public Records Act 2009.

That the Queensland Reconstruction Authority consider extending the suite of internal performance indicators being used as the Authority matures.

That the Queensland Reconstruction Authority clarify and communicate the roles of the Lines of Reconstruction sub-committees to the Chairs of each committee.

That the Queensland Reconstruction Authority agree on and finalise the work plan and attach it as a Schedule to the Agreement as required in section 15 of the Agreement.

That the Queensland Reconstruction Authority finalise the value for money policies and procedures, particularly those that take into account the role and responsibilities of the external service providers.

To ensure that NOPSEMA is in a strong position to perform its functions effectively:
a) NOPSA (and NOPSEMA) should continue and strengthen ongoing, constructive engagement, directly and through their representatives, with the industry and the offshore workforce;

a) For the purposes of designing and implementing its regulatory activities, National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority (NOPSA) should continue to identify priority hazards and risks and their underlying causes, in consultation with the NOPSA Advisory Board and stakeholders (see Theme 9, Stakeh

NOPSA should:
a) maintain effective policies and procedures that ensure that NOPSA inspectors and other decision makers interpret and apply the OPGGS legislation and NOPSA’s policies fairly and consistently in similar circumstances; and

The review team recommend that:
a) NOPSA examine, in consultation with industry stakeholders, developing a program of workshops based on the safety case guidance notes, to provide further face to face information to operators about complying with safety case regulatory requirements;

In developing and improving its policies and practices for stakeholder engagement, NOPSA should ensure that:
a) they are underpinned by a clearly stated commitment to representative, tripartite and consultative engagement (this could be included in a service charter 5);

The review team recommend that the safety case system be strengthened by including provisions for a design notification scheme along the lines of that under the British Offshore Safety Case Regulations.

Equipping the regulator with a wider range of compliance tools under the legislation should continue to be a policy priority. The aim should be to enhance the regulator’s capacity to secure compliance in an appropriately graduated way.

The review team recommend that:
a) legislative action to resolve the issues of the interface between the OPGGS legislation and Commonwealth maritime laws should continue to be given priority attention; and

In order to improve the effectiveness of National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA), with similar benefits for State or Territory regulators, attention should be given to the following actions.

The committee recommends that Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) and its relevant contractors continue to monitor the wellbeing of the survivors and that counselling and support services should be provided for as long as is necessary.

The committee recommends that the Department of Regional Australia and DIAC liaise with the Christmas Island community to explore options for a permanent memorial to be erected on the island, at a site of the residents' choosing, for the victims of the tragedy.

The committee recommends that relevant Commonwealth agencies continue to monitor the wellbeing of their personnel and that counselling and support services should be provided for as long as necessary.

The Commonwealth Government guarantee the payment of claims by ensuring that, whenever a funding shortfall occurs in the reinsurance facility through claims exceeding the funds held in the facility, the Commonwealth would meet the shortfall and the Commonwealth would seek reimbursement of a porti

That flood premium discounts be delivered through a model that requires insurers to retain and price a portion of the risk with the remainder to be ceded to the reinsurance facility at a discounted reinsurance premium.

That subsection 35(2) of the Insurance Contracts Act 1984 be amended so that policyholders are not deemed to be clearly informed of a deviation from ‘standard cover’ by simply being provided a copy of the insurance policy or product disclosure statement.

That all home building insurance policies include flood cover.

That for home building insurance policies receiving full discounts, policyholders pay for that portion of the risk retained by the insurer and pay nothing for the remainder of the risk up to $500,000.

That, in endorsing the Government proposal for a Key Facts Statement, the Key Facts Statement list replacement cover and all natural disaster events, identified as ‘standard cover’ in the Insurance Contracts Regulations 1985.

That home building and home contents insurance should not be made compulsory.

That for body corporate insurance policies receiving full discounts, policyholders pay for that portion of the risk retained by the insurer and pay nothing for the remainder of the risk up to $500,000 times the number of units.

That a ‘health warning’ be provided by insurers to the purchasers of home and contents policies that do not include full flood cover or full replacement cover. The health warning should be provided:
• in the Key Facts Statement;
• verbally at the time of telephone purchase; and

That an agency sponsored by the Commonwealth Government be created to manage the national coordination of flood risk management and to operate a system of premium discounts and a flood risk reinsurance facility, supported by a funding guarantee from the Commonwealth.

That whenever flood cover is included in home building insurance policies:
• flood-specific sub-limits not apply; and
• any excess that applies to flood cover be commensurate with that applicable to other insured perils.

That for home contents insurance policies, policyholders pay for that portion of the risk retained by the insurer and pay nothing for the remainder of the risk up to $100,000.

That the Commonwealth Government introduce a standard definition of flood in the form proposed in the ‘Reforming flood insurance: Clearing the waters’ consultation paper.

That a national agency sponsored by the Commonwealth Government be established to undertake national coordination of flood risk management and to operate the system of premium discounts and the flood risk reinsurance facility. The Agency would:

That the following five principles underpin the design of a system of premium discounts:
• premiums should rise with the level of flood risk;
• those whose homes do not face a flood risk should not pay a flood premium;

That homes at high and extreme risk of flood be provided with discounts initially and that they be assessed regularly for mitigation work already undertaken and the potential for further mitigation.

That, in order to give general insurance policyholders the same legal remedies as other consumers, unfair contract terms laws be applied to general insurance.

That flood premium discounts be provided for home building insurance for eligible homes:
• the discounts be assessed by reference to an ‘affordability threshold’ for flood premiums;
• only existing homes would be eligible for discounts; and

That a flood risk reinsurance facility, or reinsurance pool, be established which would have two primary functions:
• to deliver discounts to home, contents and home unit insurance policies for eligible properties; and
• to provide flood reinsurance capacity to the insurance market;

That every APRA-authorised general insurer adopt and comply with the General Insurance Code of Practice.

The levels of the discounts and the phasing out periods be reviewed from time to time.

That the Commonwealth Government guarantee payment of claims from the reinsurance pool by ensuring that, whenever a funding shortfall occurs in the pool through claims exceeding the funds held in the pool, the Commonwealth would meet the shortfall.

That the Insurance Council of Australia amend the Code of Practice to impose a four month time limit (subject to exceptional circumstances) to make a determination as to liability and the nature of the loss or damage with respect to a claim.

That there be limitations on the size of the discount available to high-value homes.

That the Commonwealth seek reimbursement of some portion of the shortfall from the State or Territory government in whose jurisdiction the flood occurred.

That the Insurance Council of Australia repeal clauses 4.3 and 4.4 of the General Insurance Code of Practice, so that claims arising from natural disasters are subject to the same minimum standards as other claims — including the four month time limit for a determination on liability and the natu

That all home unit insurance policies include flood cover, in the same manner as for homes.

That to facilitate flood risk information being made publicly available, Commonwealth, State and Territory governments grant indemnities to the providers of flood risk information if the information is obtained and provided in good faith and in the absence of any gross negligence.

That the Insurance Council of Australia amend clause 4.5 of the General Insurance Code of Practice to extend the time within which claimants in natural disasters have the right to make further claims or lodge reviews after the finalisation of an initial claim to seven months from the date of the

That flood premium discounts be provided, in the same manner as for homes, to the bodies corporate of eligible properties, and on the same basis as for detached homes.

That the Agency charge insurers a small administrative fee for each policy ceded to the reinsurance facility. 

That the Insurance Council of Australia amend the General Insurance Code of Practice to require that:

That the definition of a home for the purposes of flood cover and flood premium discounts be any building for which a homeowner purchases a home insurance policy.

That:

That the Insurance Council of Australia amend the General Insurance Code of Practice such that the General Insurance Code Compliance Committee:

That all home contents insurance policies include flood cover.

That all home, contents and home unit insurance policies cover the policyholder for storm surge, tsunami and landslide, where the storm surge, tsunami or landslide is the result of another event that is covered under the policy and regardless of whether the insured property directly suffers damag

That ASIC conduct a review of the General Insurance Code of Practice three years after the amendments recommended to the Code in this Review are implemented, in order to assess the effectiveness of the Code with a view to determining whether an ASIC Regulatory Guide for claims handling should the

That discounts be provided, in the same manner as for homes, to home contents insurance policies for eligible properties.

That the Commonwealth engage with the insurance industry and the States and Territories in planning for the future coordination of charitable and government payments to individuals to assist with recovery after future natural disasters.

That the Commonwealth and State governments provide funding for legal advice and assistance with insurance disputes following natural disasters.

That all insurers offering small business insurance be obliged to include flood cover on an opt-out basis, instead of an opt-in/opt-out basis as at present, in all of their small business package policies.

That access to insurance be enhanced through the development of alternative payment options, in particular:
• by the Commonwealth Government arranging for Centrelink customers to be able to pay insurance premiums fortnightly through Centrepay; and

That the current formula for the cost of rebuilding of State and Territory assets under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements be changed to expenditure before any insurance recoveries by the State or Territory rather than net of any insurance recoveries.

That all home insurance, home contents and home unit insurance policies include flood cover.

That flood premium discounts not be provided to small businesses and that the reinsurance facility not offer reinsurance for small businesses.

That lending institutions remind mortgagors annually of their obligations to hold home insurance and of the risks of under-insurance in order to minimise non-insurance and under-insurance of homes.

That the Government give priority to introducing legislation necessary to ensure that all home, contents and home unit insurance policies include flood cover and to establish a new national agency for flood risk management and flood reinsurance purposes.

That a system of premium discounts be introduced in order that most purchasers of home insurance, home contents and home unit insurance policies in areas subject to flood risk be eligible for discounts against the full cost of flood insurance.

That the questions of flood cover as standard in small business policies and access to discounted premiums for small business policyholders should be revisited once the recommended arrangements for homes, home units and home contents are in place.

That all home building insurance policies providing sum insured cover be modified by the end of 2014 so as to include replacement value cover in the event of total loss of the home.

The committee recommends that interoperability of narrowband voice radiocommunications between federal, state and territory emergency service organisations is achieved as soon as practicable and that all services attending major incidents be compelled to maintain a common emergency communications