Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements

The Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements was established in response to the extreme bushfire season of 2019-2020 which resulted in devastating loss of life, property and wildlife, and environmental destruction across the nation.

Commission Chair, Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin AC (Retd) presented the Royal Commission’s report to the Governor-General on Wednesday, 28 October 2020. The report was tabled in the Federal Parliament on 30 October, 2020 and in both Houses of the Tasmanian Parliament on 10 November 2020.

Tasmanian Government Response

The Tasmanian Government supports, or supports in principle, all of the Royal Commission’s recommendations with the exception of recommendations that the Australian Government be able to take action without a state or territory request for assistance and that state governments assume responsibility for local government emergency management activity.

Many of the recommendations are focused on national coordination and will take time to address. The Tasmanian Government, however, has already started work in response to some of the recommendations that can be delivered at the state level and is doing everything it can to ensure we are as prepared as possible for natural disasters.

The consolidated Tasmanian Government response to the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements is available to view.