Australia has declared a national emergency in response to the disastrous floods along its east coast, as Prime Minister Scott Morrison faced protests during his visit to the disaster zone.
The emergency declaration would help cut red tape and speed up relief amid complaints of a tardy response to the floods, which have killed at least 21 people.
A national emergency has been declared by the prime minister
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The royal committee on natural disasters, established in the aftermath of the 2019 bushfires, particularly suggested the establishment of a "national emergency" that the Prime Minister could proclaim.
It concluded that the federal government should take a more active role in reacting to and recovering from natural catastrophes.
As per ABC News, state and territorial governments would continue to take the lead, but when extreme catastrophes happen, especially if they crossed boundaries, the federal government may issue a broad disaster proclamation.
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The plan was to put government agencies and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) on high alert in order to respond. And, if necessary, it would empower the government to intervene and the ADF to be deployed without being requested by a state administration.
The federal government accepted the idea, and legislation was approved in late 2020.
Because of the natural catastrophes, Australia is becoming a more difficult place to live in, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Wednesday, March 10, after touring the worst-affected Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, as per Reuters.
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Frustrated Northern Rivers residents, who have been without power and internet for several days already, have criticized officials for the poor pace and magnitude of relief operations.
Morrison, who is lagging in polls ahead of a federal election in May, said he kept the media away from his visits with flood victims to safeguard their privacy.
According to Aljazeera, demonstrators demanded greater assistance and tougher climate action as Morrison toured the flood-ravaged city of Lismore, which saw some of the worst floodings in a nearly two-week storm along Australia's east coast.
Protesters are pleading for aid, with many holding banners bearing statements, such as "Coal and gas did this" and "this is what climate change looks like."
Some protesters gathered in front of an emergency operations center visited by Morrison, chanting "the water is rising, no more compromise" and "fossil fuel floods."
Morrison's conservative administration established a net-zero carbon emissions target for 2050 late last year, but climate campaigners are urging more dramatic action.
The prime minister told reporters that the destruction was caused by climate change, which he claimed had previously caused bush fire disasters--but that the larger problem was decreasing other nations' emissions.
Flood mitigation efforts, rather than stiffer limits on Australia's emissions, will save lives, he claims.
Military forces deployed to the region to assist with cleanup activities will be more than increased to 4,000, according to officials.
In the last week, the government has paid out approximately $385 million to flood victims across the country, and Morrison stated that aid would be increased in Lismore, one of the hardest-hit towns, and surrounding areas to provide food and shelter, mental health support, and legal and business assistance.
