Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

Thanks very much, Senator Watt. As I said, the 2016 Defence white paper did identify climate change as one of the causes of state fragility, a key driver for our security environment, out through to 2035. Defence prepares—as you referenced the CDF talking about it, as he does regularly—for climate change impacts on defence capabilities, estate, personnel, equipment and also related operational responses. You can see from Operation Bushfire Assist that the Australian Defence Force is well prepared for humanitarian disaster relief operations both here domestically and overseas. So I think the proof is there, Senator Watt, that we are well prepared and well capable of supporting any of those disasters here in Australia and overseas.