Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

It's a very good question, because it is has been a tumultuous few weeks in Australia in terms of fire, flood and cyclone. And while state and territory governments have primary responsibility for responding to national disasters, including the provision of assistance to affected communities, the ADF has well-established procedures to respond to natural disasters both at home and abroad. We monitor weather events and other natural disasters across our region, and we work closely with Emergency Management Australia and international partners to assist when requested and where it's necessary.

We have Defence support staff based in capital cities around the country, and they work closely with disaster management authorities in each of those states and territories to ensure that defence is integrated into emergency planning and response. Following Defence assistance to the civil community requests from a state or territory government, we're able to deploy a range of capabilities, which include troops or equipment or technical support like an engineering team, or major platforms such as amphibious ships, or heavy transport aircraft and satellite imagery. (Time expired)