A rapid response to critical issues as they emerge is a major priority for PM&C. During the last 12 months, PM&C and its portfolio agencies have responded to drought, floods, bushfires and COVID-19 whilst strengthening focus on deregulation in response to the threats caused by the pandemic. This requires PM&C to pivot with appropriate resourcing to stand up taskforces and agencies to accelerate the response and to provide assistance required on the ground.
Australian public expectations are clear that the Australian Government provide strong leadership and support to state and territory jurisdictions in response to nationally significant crises. PM&C will work to ensure the APS has the critical leadership and other capabilities to respond and deliver the highest government priorities as they emerge.
A rapid response capability requires us to anticipate future shocks, understand the risks Australia faces and act to reduce our vulnerability to them as a nation. PM&C will continue to work with other Commonwealth agencies, and state and territory First Minister departments, to build our climate and disaster resilience by reducing the risk and impacts of future natural disasters on Australian communities and the economy.
The COVID-19 crisis has shown PM&C at its responsive best, drawing on lessons learned in the earlier experiences such as the drought and flood response. A priority for 2020–21 is to retain and build on this platform to manage a crisis and prepare for recovery.
Providing an agile and readily deployable Commonwealth APS to quickly surge to meet such demands is a critical focus for both the APS Commissioner and PM&C. Developing systems and protocols to build an APS that is resilient, flexible and allows for rapid resources deployment in crises are an essential deliverable to the Australian Government to meet community expectations.
PM&C will work to support the Secretary in his role as head of the APS in this task. Our priority is to advance the Secretary’s aspiration to establish a united APS-enterprise that can work in unison to mobilise people, share data, solve problems and enhance policy design to deliver vital services for all Australians.
PM&C is also responsible for working with other Commonwealth agencies and state and territory First Minister departments to enhance information sharing arrangements to ensure, as far as is practicable, a unified national response in which resources are deployed to the highest priority risks for the collective national good and to ensure the safety and security of all Australians. The National Coordination Mechanism, first created in response to the COVID-19 crisis in the Home Affairs portfolio, is a good example of a more focused approach to whole of national coordination forums.
In 2020–21 to 2024, PM&C will:
- Establish a greater capability to anticipate and establish a rapid and ready response capability.
- Support the Government as new priorities arise by responding quickly and flexibly in establishing robust governance arrangements and functions with appropriate resourcing.
- Support the Government in its efforts to introduce new emergency management response architecture.
- Support the APS Commissioner in building agile workforce models, including exploring the establishment of a surge workforce capacity which can be mobilised in times of extreme national crisis.
- Support Government in the implementation of agreed recommendations arising from the CSIRO Climate and Disaster Resilience Report submitted to the Australian Government on 30 June 2020.
- Contribute to the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements, provide advice to the Prime Minister on the government’s response, and work with Commonwealth and external agencies to implement agreed recommendations.
Measure
PM&C has an action plan to anticipate and stand up taskforces to manage critical issues as they arise.
Target
- Taskforce functions responding to critical issues have strong governance and are resourced appropriately to enable a rapid on the ground response for the community.
Measure
Commonwealth whole-of-government coordination, resource mobilisation and support to state and territory jurisdictions during times of crisis are effective.
Target
- The Government introduces improved architecture that better enables the timely delivery of support to jurisdictions in times of crisis.
- Progress in the delivery of a Public Safety Mobile Broadband (PSMB) system as outlined in the roadmap agreed by the Council of Australian Governments in December 2018.
Measure
Work cooperatively with states and territories to respond to the Royal Commission’s report and implement agreed recommendations.
Target
- Increase Australia’s ability to prepare for, respond to, recover from and build resilience to natural disasters.