List of Recommendations

Recommendation 1

2.129

The committee recommends that the National Bushfire Recovery Agency introduce monthly reporting requirements for state, territory and local governments and other external agencies that receive funding through the National Bushfire Recovery Fund.

Recommendation 2

2.133

The committee recommends that the current review into the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) consider the following matters:

the need to streamline application processes for DRFA assistance and provide additional case management assistance for individuals, local, and state and territory governments during and following natural disasters;

the need to harmonise eligibility criteria across jurisdictions to ensure equitable access to support; and

the need to remove impediments to applying for betterment and mitigation initiatives.

Recommendation 3

2.137

The committee recommends that, as a matter of priority, the Commonwealth Government release funding for mitigation projects through the Emergency Response Fund.

Recommendation 4

2.141

The committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government review, with a view to increase, the rate of the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment and the Disaster Recovery Allowance as a matter of priority.

Recommendation 5

3.79

The committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government allocate funding from the Emergency Response Fund to each state and territory for the establishment of a dedicated hazard reduction workforce. Funding should be sufficient to ensure both hazard reduction and ongoing research activities can be conducted on an annual basis.

Recommendation 6

4.86

The committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government provide the Department of Health with increased and ongoing funding for research into the health impacts of unhealthy and hazardous levels of bushfire smoke on the population, with specific funding allocated for research into the health impacts of bushfire smoke on pregnant women, unborn children, and infants.

Recommendation 7

4.95

The committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government make the Better Access Bushfire Recovery initiative and the Better Access Bushfire Recovery Telehealth initiative permanent mental health support services, with both initiatives properly funded over the forward estimates.

Recommendation 8

6.59

The committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government develop a business case to progress the establishment of a permanent, sovereign aerial firefighting fleet, which includes Large Air‑Tankers and Very Large Air‑Tankers, and small and medium-sized aircraft as appropriate.

Recommendation 9

7.117

The committee recommends that under Part VIIA, Division 5 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, the Treasurer direct the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to undertake monitoring of the prices, costs and profits relating to insurance premiums, with particular attention paid to the impact of climate change‑driven severe weather on the natural perils component of general insurance premiums.

Recommendation 10

7.131

The committee recommends that the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority immediately recommence its work on the climate change‑related prudential practice and governance guide as it relates to the general insurance industry.

Recommendation 11

7.132

The committee recommends that the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority should, if it has not already done so, undertake financial vulnerability stress testing of the insurance sector, including consideration of capital adequacy in anticipation of worst case scenario severe weather events causing catastrophic insurance losses, either singly or in combination.

Recommendation 12

8.93

The committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government reverse its funding cuts to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), and in addition, provide the ABC with annual discrete funding for its emergency broadcast services.

Recommendation 13

8.106

The committee recommends that Emergency Management Australia, the Commissioners and Chief Officers Strategic Committee and the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council complete the development of the Australian Warning System and the Australian Fire Danger Rating System as a matter of priority.

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