Improving Australia’s capacity to deliver disaster relief
Australia is strongest when we share in our neighbours' flourishment. And we are weakened by extension when they suffer the attrition of successive catastrophes.
As crucial as climate adaptation and resilience are, there remain natural limits on any state's capacity to weather natural disasters when they arrive.
In our region, the projected frequency and severity of climate-induced disasters is such that our neighbours will require more regular and significant assistance than we are practised at providing.
It follows that Australia must significantly build up its readiness and ability to deliver large-scale disaster relief. Doing so is our neighbourly duty, which is sufficient in itself as a call to action. But it is also in our national interest. Australia is strongest when we share in our neighbours' flourishment. And we are weakened by extension when they suffer the attrition of successive catastrophes.
To ensure Australia is ready to assist to the full extent required, we will:
Acquire a second Landing Ship Dock to supplement the Navy's sealift capability. As demands for disaster relief become frequent, it is important that the ADF remains focussed on its primary defence role. An additional LSD would help the ADF more effectively balance HADR missions with the ongoing need for readiness.
Implement HADR training for members of Australia's prospective strategic fleet. Ensuring our planned merchant navy has a basic HADR capability would expand our options and agility in responding to natural disasters, particularly in the event of concurrent crises.
Boost Australia's capacity to conduct aeromedical evacuation. AME is a niche but high-value contribution that Australia can make in humanitarian crises. Alongside our existing AME hub in Darwin, we will seek to build a new hub in Townsville that is better positioned to support the Pacific.
Maintain a national strategic stockpile of humanitarian aid. To ensure we can provide assistance at the scale and speed required, Australia will build up a readily accessible stockpile of medical gear, portable shelters, water, foodstuffs, and other humanitarian supplies.
Bolster Australia's airlift capability. Again, to ensure that Australia's HADR contributions do not come at the cost of ADF capability or readiness, we will aim to expand the RAAF's fleet of tactical transport aircraft.
Synergise responses with other regional security providers. In particular, Australia will seek to work with France and New Zealand to develop frameworks for effective HADR cooperation in the South Pacific.
Establish a dedicated HADR research and planning capability in Government. Embedded in Defence, and with representation from DFAT, the team will bolster Australia's HADR readiness by preparing detailed response plans for likely contingencies.
Deepen expertise among Australian practitioners. We will work with universities and counterpart agencies overseas to expand opportunities for professional education and development for HADR practitioners in the Australian Government.