Major projec ts and ac tivites Australian Government engagement Fundamental to AFAC’s role as a delivery partner and facilitator of national ways of working is our relationship with the Australian Government. The 2021-22 period saw the relationship with the Australian Government further strengthen for the benefit of our members, and through them, the Australian community. The key conduit to the relationship was the government’s Emergency Management portfolio, through the Minister for Emergency Management, Emergency Management Australia (EMA) and the National Recovery and Resilience Agency (NRRA). AFAC also continued strong relationships with the Bureau of Meteorology, the CSIRO, and also Geoscience Australia. As AFAC members, EMA, Parks Australia, and Air Services Australia all contribute to, and benefit from, AFAC’s national and international footprint. AFAC continued work towards the delivery of several programs of work related to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Australia’s National Natural Disaster Arrangements. Through AFAC’s extensive collaboration network, common approaches are developed.
22
This year saw the continuation of several significant grant programs including working with the Australian Government to deliver the Australian Fire Danger Rating System, contributions to the National Aerial Firefighting Centre, the implementation of community education for the Australian Warning System, and a new enhanced National Resource Sharing Centre. These all contribute to Australia’s national resilience and represent examples of federal, state and territory governments working together towards common goals. AFAC was proud to host the Minister for Emergency Management Senator the Hon. Bridget McKenzie at the AFAC office in December 2021 and welcomed the Minister and the Director General of EMA, Mr Joe Buffone, to formally launch of the national large airtanker upon its arrival in Australia. AFAC remains committed to delivering the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience on behalf of the Australian Government and look forward watching this evolve with time. The nature of legislated roles and responsibilities means that coordination between all levels of government is vital. AFAC is committed to supporting these links and providing the opportunity for collective results far greater than can be achieved by any single group.
