Federal government is facing questions about why it has taken this long to make the call
Usually, the federal government would have to wait for requests from state governments for assets like the ADF, and that had been an explanation from federal ministers like David Littleproud for why army help hadn’t arrived sooner.The relevant legislation says the declaration powers are largely about cutting “red tape” to get support out faster to disaster victims and affected communities.
The government said at the time of the 2020 laws that it would allow “ministers to suspend, vary or substitute “red tape” requirements in legislation that they administer where this would benefit the public, or a section of the public, during or following a national emergency, citing examples such as “requirements to produce particular kinds of identification, or have their signature witnessed”.
The federal powers to declare a national emergency were enacted in December 2020, in response to recommendations from the royal commission into the Black Summer bushfires. Following criticisms of the speed and power of the federal response, the commission said the federal government should have stronger declaration powers in order to “signal to communities the severity of a disaster early, act as a marshalling call for the early provision of Australian government assistance when requested”, and better coordinate with state and territory governments.
Labor’s emergency management spokesman, Murray Watt, said he was “pleased” that the prime minister was to declare a national emergency, but questioned why it had taken so long.