DEMAND A ‘CLIMATE RESPONSE SERVICE’ TO AID FLOOD AND FIRE RESPONSE
The Greens will create a Climate Response Service to put thousands of people on the ground and help prepare for fires, floods, and cyclones; and assist with the extensive cleanup after they strike, under a Greens plan to protect communities from disasters supercharged by coal and gas.
The Climate Response Service would be funded by making big coal and gas corporations pay more tax.
As the climate crisis caused by coal and gas makes extreme weather conditions more frequent and destructive, thousands of volunteers after the Brisbane floods have found themselves taking on an increased burden of preparation and cleanup works - but they currently operate without national support or co-ordination.
The proposal to commit $1bn a year over three years would create a service to be managed by the National Emergency Management Agency, working with local communities to provide skilled, scalable support in a crisis. Specifics would be devised through the NEMA’s consultation with communities, the ADF, and local service providers and volunteer groups.