Establish a greater capability to anticipate and establish a rapid and ready response capability.

PM&C has an action plan to anticipate and stand up taskforces to manage critical issues as they arise.

• Taskforce functions responding to critical issues have strong governance and are resourced appropriately to enable a rapid on the ground response for the community.

Source

Corporate Plan 2020–24, pp 30–31

Result

On track

Methodology

Evaluation through case study, milestone delivery and informal stakeholder feedback

Analysis

PM&C is on track to achieving the measure and target under this key activity over the forward estimates.

Since its inception in February 2021, Taskforce Coordination Support (TCS) has been developing a practical active governance framework to support the establishment of new taskforces within PM&C.

TCS has implemented an accepted process for conducting an initial workshop as part of the standard start-up process for a new taskforce. This is central to the success of this capability. The objective of the workshop is to seek to understand taskforce desired outcomes and deliverables, establish agreed evaluation measures and undertake a risk assessment. This process assists with identifying key stakeholders required for ongoing consultation and advice. TCS will provide regular guidance throughout a taskforce life cycle to go through the checklists and monitor changes to scope and objectives.

To streamline ongoing consultations, TCS established a network of key stakeholders that includes representatives from all PM&C enabling services. The network will keep the flow of communication open on possible and emerging taskforces to ensure prompt action and responses when required. Ongoing commitment to this network will ensure existing departmental frameworks, controls and systems are leveraged as far as practical to support future taskforces.

TCS will institute a standard handover process as part of the wind-up for each taskforce. This will include an exit interview with key criteria to ensure that a comprehensive wrap-up and handover is undertaken that covers staff off-boarding, compliance with financial management requirements and accessibility of records; and ensuring legacy documentation is managed appropriately. This process will capture metrics for ongoing performance evaluation for the TCS to understand lessons learned, with feedback to be incorporated into continued review and improvement of checklists and processes.

Ongoing commitment to this function will ensure TCS can further implement new processes to successfully achieve this performance measure.

Support the Government as new priorities arise by responding quickly and flexibly in establishing robust governance arrangements and functions with appropriate resourcing.

Commonwealth whole-of-government coordination, resource mobilisation and support to state and territory jurisdictions during times of crisis are effective.

• The Government introduces improved architecture that better enables the timely delivery of support to jurisdictions in times of crisis.

Source

Corporate Plan 2020–24, pp 30–31

Result

Achieved

Methodology

Evaluation through data analysis and milestone delivery

Analysis

PM&C achieved the target under this key activity.

During 2020–21, PM&C worked with agencies from across government to ensure the Commonwealth is prepared for, and able to effectively respond to, all types of crisis events. PM&C reported on a daily basis to the Prime Minister, preparing more than 600 reports on the COVID-19 pandemic.

PM&C worked with the Department of Home Affairs to develop 2 tabletop exercises for the National Security Committee of Cabinet, and one futures scenario exercise conducted by the Secretaries Board. These exercises ensured that ministers and secretaries have had practice in managing emergency and crisis events and have the opportunity to consider longer term trends that will shape Australian policy over the next 5 to 10 years.

The National Exercising Program will be expanded in 2021–22 as part of the reform packaged announced in response to recommendations of the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements.

PM&C updated the Australian Government Crisis Management Framework (AGCMF) to reflect the establishment of the new National Recovery and Resilience Agency and reforms to Emergency Management Australia that are due to commence on 1 July 2021. PM&C consulted with 19 Commonwealth agencies and all states and territories, and held 29 meetings as part of the development of the revised AGCMF. The revised AGCMF was considered by the Secretaries’ Committee of National Security in June 2021 and is published on the PM&C website.

Support the Government in its efforts to introduce new Emergency Management response architecture.

Commonwealth whole-of-government coordination, resource mobilisation and support to state and territory jurisdictions during times of crisis are effective.

• The Government introduces improved architecture that better enables the timely delivery of support to jurisdictions in times of crisis.

• Progress in the delivery of a Public Safety Mobile Broadband system as outlined in the roadmap agreed by COAG in December 2018.

Source

Corporate Plan 2020–24, pp 30–31

Result

On track

Methodology

Evaluation through milestone delivery and data analysis

Analysis

PM&C is on track to achieving its targets under this key activity.

PM&C has been instrumental in driving the delivery of a Public Safety Mobile Broadband (PSMB) system as a matter of priority for jurisdictions and the Commonwealth. PM&C worked with the Department of Home Affairs and the states and territories to keep the PSMB project on track during 2020–21.

In response to the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements recommendation to expedite the delivery of PSMB, the National Federation Reform Council agreed that the National Emergency Management Ministers Meeting would progress the recommendation as a priority action. The PSMB Proof of Concept project commenced in May 2021 and will run through to August 2022.

Support the APS Commissioner in building agile workforce models, including exploring the establishment of a surge workforce capacity which can be mobilised in times of extreme national crisis.

Commonwealth whole-of-government coordination, resource mobilisation and support to state and territory jurisdictions during times of crisis are effective.

• The Government introduces improved architecture that better enables the timely delivery of support to jurisdictions in times of crisis.

Source

Corporate Plan 2020–24, pp 30–31

Result

Partially achieved

Methodology

Evaluation through milestone delivery and data analysis

Analysis

PM&C partially achieved its target under this key activity.

In accordance with the recommendation of the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements, a new APS Surge Reserve has been established to support the mobilisation of staff for emerging needs. This function transferred from PM&C to the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC). The Secretaries Board agreed to the final design of the APS Surge Reserve in April 2021. The new APS Surge Reserve is designed to support the mobilisation of large numbers of APS staff quickly in a crisis.

Surge reserve arrangements will be tested and revised through regular exercises involving the Surge Reserve Coordinator and portfolio contacts. The National Framework for Public Sector Mobility, which supports movement between state and territory jurisdictions, was delivered in July 2020. Commonwealth, state and territory commissioners endorsed an update to the framework in April 2021. As at 30 June 2021, more than 2,000 staff have volunteered to join the APS Surge Reserve, with further recruitment planned for later in 2021.

Support Government in the implementation of agreed recommendations arising from the CSIRO Climate and Disaster Resilience Report submitted to the Commonwealth Government on 30 June 2020.

Commonwealth whole-of-government coordination, resource mobilisation and support to state and territory jurisdictions during times of crisis are effective.

• The Government introduces improved architecture that better enables the timely delivery of support to jurisdictions in times of crisis.

Source

Corporate Plan 2020–24, pp 30–31

Result

On track

Methodology

Evaluation through milestone delivery and stakeholder survey

Analysis

PM&C is on track to achieving its measure and target over the forward estimates.

In 2020–21, we helped support the Government to implement recommendations arising from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Climate and Disaster Resilience Report, primarily by providing advice to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet to respond to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements, which are aligned to many of the recommendations of the CSIRO report.

PM&C supported the Prime Minister to share the report with all state and territory premiers and chief ministers. We continue to support whole-of-government efforts to work with states and territories to implement the Royal Commission’s recommendations (and by implication the CSIRO recommendations) and monitor progress. Stakeholder survey results demonstrated a highly positive assessment from external stakeholders of our successful performance against this measure.

We had a key role in advising the Prime Minister and the Cabinet to establish the new National Recovery and Resilience Agency and the Australian Climate Service – 2 key initiatives that give effect to both Royal Commission and CSIRO recommendations. Both these key initiatives continue to drive resilience outcomes.

Contribute to the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements, provide advice to the Prime Minister on the Government’s response, and work with Commonwealth and external agencies to implement agreed recommendations.

Work cooperatively with states and territories to respond to the Royal Commission’s report and implement agreed recommendations.

• Increase Australia’s ability to prepare for, respond to, recover from and build resilience to natural disasters.

Source

Corporate Plan 2020–24, pp 30–31

Result

On track

Methodology

Evaluation through milestone delivery and data analysis

Analysis

PM&C is on track to achieving its measure and target under this key activity.

On 13 December 2020, the Government published its response – A national approach to natural disasters – to the final report of the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements. PM&C coordinated across portfolios to develop responses to the 80 recommendations made by the Royal Commission.

PM&C coordinated the development of the Government response, including consideration by the National Federation Reform Council. PM&C prepared regular briefing to the Government and coordinated consultation across the Commonwealth as part of this work. The Government supported or supported in principle most of the recommendations, and noted those directed to the states and territories.

In conjunction with the establishment of the National Cabinet architecture, the Australian Government collaborated with the states and territories to establish the National Emergency Management Ministers Meeting (NEMMM). NEMMM is coordinating the implementation of the Royal Commission’s recommendations at all levels of government, ensuring that reforms to natural disaster resilience, response and recovery arrangements are harmonised across jurisdictions.

A number of the Royal Commission’s key recommendations for the Australian Government have already been implemented. For example, the National Recovery and Resilience Agency and Australian Climate Services have been established. Five reports on progress against each recommendation have been published on the Department of Home Affairs website. PM&C will continue working with the Department of Home Affairs and relevant Commonwealth agencies, as well as the states and territories, to deliver the Royal Commission’s recommendations.