National Emergency Management Agency (Australia) Explained

Agency Name:	National Emergency Management Agency
Type:	Agency
Preceding1:	National Recovery and Resilience Agency
Preceding2:	Emergency Management Australia
Jurisdiction:	Australia
Minister1 Name:	Jenny McAllister
Minister1 Pfo:	Minister for Emergency Management
Chief1 Name:	Brendan Moon
Chief1 Position:	Coordinator-General
Parent Department:	Department of Home Affairs

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is an executive agency of the Australian federal government under the Department of Home Affairs.^{[1] [2]} The agency is responsible for coordinating and managing a national-level emergency response to help those affected by natural disasters, including droughts, bushfires and floods.^[3] NEMA was formed on 1 September 2022 from the merger of the two major disaster agencies, the National Recovery and Resilience Agency and Emergency Management Australia.

The formation of the agency was first announced in July 2022 by the newly-appointed Cabinet headed by Anthony Albanese. The agency was originally intended to be named the National Emergency Management, Resilience and Recovery Agency.^[4] The name was later simplified to its current name prior to the creation of the agency.^{[5] [6]}

The agency leads Australia’s disaster and emergency management efforts by providing informed strategic oversight and guidance, and by being constantly connected with local communities. It funds programs and initiatives, works with communities, industry and NGOs, gives national leadership, and provides round-the-clock all-hazards monitoring and operational coordination.

The Minister for Emergency Management, currently Jenny McAllister, holds ministerial responsibility for the agency. The agency is headed by its Coordinator-General, currently Brendan Moon.^[7]

Preceding agencies

National Recovery and Resilience Agency

See main article: National Recovery and Resilience Agency. The National Recovery and Resilience Agency (NRRA) was the executive agency to help those affected by natural disasters, including droughts, bushfires and floods. It was formed on 5 May 2021 from the merger of the National Bushfire Recovery Agency and the National Drought and North Queensland Flood Response and Recovery Agency, in response to the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements.^[8]

Emergency Management Australia

See main article: Emergency Management Australia.

See also

• List of Australian government entities

Notes and References

1. Web site: 23 June 2022 . Administrative Arrangements Order made on 23 June 2022 . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
2. Web site: 1 June 2022 . Administrative Arrangements Order made on 1 June 2022 . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 49,50.
3. Web site: Albanese government restores abolished environment department but avoids major public service overhaul. ABC News. 2 June 2022.
4. Web site: Australia's Key Disaster Agencies Now Even Closer. Ministers for the Department of Home Affairs. 1 July 2022.
5. Web site: New agency to deliver support before, during and after disasters. Ministers for the Department of Home Affairs. 31 August 2022.
6. Web site: Minister for Emergency Management - Transcript - Launch of new federal disaster agency - 31/08/2022. National Emergency Management Agency. 31 August 2022.
7. Web site: Brendan Moon appointed first Coordinator-General for Emergency Management. National Emergency Management Agency. 16 December 2022.
8. Web site: 5 May 2021 . Launch of National Recovery and Resilience Agency . 4 March 2022 . National Recovery and Resilience Agency.