The Lead Coordinating Senior Official performs functions to support near-term preparedness for, response to and early recovery from crisis (see Figure 6), including:
- facilitating near real time shared situational awareness across the Australian Government (using situation reports and relevant forums)
- monitoring impacts and consequences of the crisis across all sectors
- convening crisis forums
- coordinating a whole of Australian Government crisis communication strategy and ensuring dissemination of whole of Australian Government crisis communication products and public information (including whole of government talking points)
- conducting strategic planning to:
- identify Australian Government equities
- establish and facilitate agreement to whole of Australian Government coordination priorities and objectives, response requirements and responsibilities
- coordinate cross-government advice to relevant ministers
- conducting a post-incident evaluation of significant crises to inform continuous improvement of Australian Government capabilities and arrangements.
During crisis, coordination efforts by the Australian Government should:
- provide senior officials with an accurate and unified picture of the crisis
- support decision-making by ministers and key decision-making bodies
- ensure consistent public messaging and information
- maintain public safety and trust in government institutions
- ensure ministerial directions are effectively implemented across government
- de-conflict government actions and support effective resource prioritisation.
