NEWS AND CURRENT ISSUES

Current news and media releases | Media contacts | Past media releases | Speeches | Disasters - community information

 

Media contacts for all media enquiries

• Alastair Wilson, Media Liaison, Emergency Management Australia: (02) 6256 4630 or mob. 0408 606 462
• Attorney-General's Department - Public Affairs office - (02) 6250 5889 (diverts to mobile a/h)

2008

Press release, the Attorney-General Robert McClelland 26.06.08

$15 MILLION TO IMPROVE MAJOR DISASTER RESCUE RESPONSE

The Rudd Government will provide $15 million dollars to police and emergency services to purchase cutting-edge equipment so they can better respond to disasters such as large scale building collapses or earthquakes, Attorney-General Robert McClelland announced today.

"This initiative will not only upgrade the equipment available nationally, but it will also ensure consistency of response if a major disaster, such as a building collapse or earthquake, took place in Australia," said Mr McClelland.

"The Australian public can be assured that the equipment to be purchased is state-of-the-art and capable of cutting through concrete in such a way as to better find and rescue trapped people."

Mr McClelland said, "It will be held primarily by fire services in capital cities, ready for immediate deployment to an emergency site."

In another sign of improved cooperation, the Rudd Government's contribution will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the State and Territory Governments, bringing the total funding for the project to $30 million.

The State and Territory investment will ensure the necessary training is provided to fire and emergency services rescue personnel.

The grants have been made under the Urban Search and Rescue Capability Development Project, which is facilitated by Emergency Management Australia.

Media contacts: Adam Sims, Mr McClelland's office, 0419 480 224
Alastair Wilson, EMA Media Liaison, 0408 606 462

 

Press release, the Attorney-General Robert McClelland 05.05.08
BUSHFIRE TRAILS GET $5 MILLION BOOST

Australia’s bushfire trails will be better maintained with $5 million in funding under the Bushfire Mitigation Program for 2008-09, the Rudd Government announced today.

Attorney-General Robert McClelland said the funding will help construction, maintenance, and signage works on Australia’s extensive network of bushfire trails. “Bushfires are part and parcel of Australian life,” Mr McClelland said. “This makes it imperative to ensure that when bushfires hit, firefighters can get to the scene quickly and safely.”

 “The Bushfire Mitigation Program helps make this happen by bringing together State fire suppression and land management agencies with local governments to identify and address the most critical fire trail works.”

Through building and maintaining fire trails, the program complements existing fire risk management activities around Australia and works in conjunction with State and Territory bushfire mitigation priorities and assessment procedures.

“I encourage State and Territory agencies and local governments to develop applications for the program,” said Mr McClelland. Information on how to apply and eligibility criteria are available from Emergency Management Australia (EMA), a division of the Attorney-General’s Department, at www.ema.gov.au.

 

Press release from the Attorney-General Robert McClelland, 09.01.08

EMERGENCY VOLUNTEER SUPPORT FUND APPLICATIONS INVITED
Attorney-General Robert McClelland was pleased to announce today that applications for the National Emergency Volunteer Support Fund in 2008/09 are now invited.

“Volunteer support funding is intended to assist organisations to develop recruitment, retention and training initiatives,” Mr McClelland said. “The Rudd Government recognises that emergency volunteers give so freely of their time to protect the lives and property of others.”

Eligible volunteer emergency management organisations nationwide are encouraged to apply. Applications for funding through the initiative will close on 7 March 2008. “Since the introduction of the National Emergency Volunteer Support Fund, 595 projects have been funded to a total value of $15.3 million.

“I am particularly pleased to see the level of response by volunteer groups. “There are up to 500,000 people in emergency response and recovery activities across the nation who can utilise the fund to prepare their pool of willing people for a whole range of possible emergencies.”

The National Emergency Volunteer Support Fund is administered by Emergency Management Australia (EMA), a Division of the Attorney-General’s Department.

Details of the program, including guidelines and application forms can be found on the EMA website www.ema.gov.au/communityengagement.

 

Press release from the Attorney-General Robert McClelland, 13.12.07

SKYCRANE ARRIVES IN CANBERRA FOR BUSHFIRE SEASON
Attorney-General Robert McClelland has today welcomed the arrival of an Erickson Skycrane helicopter to assist in the ACT region’s firefighting capability.

“These aircraft have a proven track record and are a welcome addition to our emergency management capacity for the bushfire season,” Mr McClelland said.

“The use of aircraft for aerial firefighting has grown in Australia over recent years and water bombing aircraft are now a very visible feature of firefighting operations each fire season, particularly at rural-urban boundaries where they can provide rapid and effective fire suppression.”

The Canberra-based Skycrane is one of four available in Australia for the bushfire season, and forms part of the Australian Government’s commitment of $41.2 million over four years to assist the States and Territories to fund firefighting aircraft.

“Since its implementation, the initiative has allowed for at least 32 aircraft to be contracted through the National Aerial Firefighting Centre in the 2007-08 season, an increase from the 25 available last season,” Mr McClelland said.

“Aircraft offer three major advantages over ground-based firefighters; speed, access and observation. We have seen this effectively demonstrated just recently in the Kangaroo Island bushfires.”

The Skycrane helicopters are currently based in NSW, Victoria and the ACT and will be repositioned to other operational areas as required.

“These national arrangements are an example of Australia's firefighting and land management agencies working together to provide greater community fire protection,” Mr McClelland said.

In his first media event as Attorney-General, Robert McClelland joined the ACT's minister for Police and Emergency Services, Simon Corbell, to welcome the Erickson Aircrane water-bomber that will be based in Canberra for this fire season. It's one of four to be based in Australia to help bushfire fighting efforts through the summer. Click thumbnail to see a larger version of the pictures.

 

Media Contact:              Tom Cameron             0417 147 932

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