NEWS AND CURRENT ISSUES

Current news and media releases | Media contacts | Past media releases | Speeches | Disasters - community information

 

Media contacts for all media enquiries

• Alastair Wilson, Media Liaison, Emergency Management Australia: (02) 6256 4630 or mob. 0408 606 462
• Attorney-General's Department - Public Affairs office - (02) 6250 5889 (diverts to mobile a/h)

2008

These Media Releases are available on the Attorney-General's website

• 29 July 2008 - Rudd Government provides funding boost for emergency volunteers
  Attorney-General Robert McClelland today announced over $3 million in funding grants to boost the recruitment, retention and training of volunteer organisations at the front line of emergency management.
• 29 July 2008 - Disaster protection funds for Victoria
  The Rudd and Brumby Governments will provide almost $1 million for eleven natural disaster mitigation projects across Victoria.
• 25 July 2008 - Natural Disaster Funding Applications Now Open
  Attorney-General, Robert McClelland has today called on local communities to apply for funding under the Natural Disaster Mitigation Program.
• 26 June 2008 - $15 million to improve major disaster rescue response
  The Rudd Government will provide $15 million dollars to police and emergency services to purchase cutting-edge equipment so they can better respond to disasters such as large scale building collapses or earthquakes, Attorney-General Robert McClelland announced today.
• 2 May 2008 - Bushfire Trails get $5 Million Boost
  Australia’s bushfire trails will be better maintained with $5 million in funding under the Bushfire Mitigation Program for 2008-09, the Rudd Government announced today.
• 9 January 2008 - Emergency Volunteer Support Fund Applications Invited
  Attorney-General Robert McClelland was pleased to announce today that applications for the National Emergency Volunteer Support Fund in 2008/09 are now invited.

2007

Press release from the Attorney-General Robert McClelland, 13.12.07

SKYCRANE ARRIVES IN CANBERRA FOR BUSHFIRE SEASON
Attorney-General Robert McClelland has today welcomed the arrival of an Erickson Skycrane helicopter to assist in the ACT region’s firefighting capability.

“These aircraft have a proven track record and are a welcome addition to our emergency management capacity for the bushfire season,” Mr McClelland said.

“The use of aircraft for aerial firefighting has grown in Australia over recent years and water bombing aircraft are now a very visible feature of firefighting operations each fire season, particularly at rural-urban boundaries where they can provide rapid and effective fire suppression.”

The Canberra-based Skycrane is one of four available in Australia for the bushfire season, and forms part of the Australian Government’s commitment of $41.2 million over four years to assist the States and Territories to fund firefighting aircraft.

“Since its implementation, the initiative has allowed for at least 32 aircraft to be contracted through the National Aerial Firefighting Centre in the 2007-08 season, an increase from the 25 available last season,” Mr McClelland said.

“Aircraft offer three major advantages over ground-based firefighters; speed, access and observation. We have seen this effectively demonstrated just recently in the Kangaroo Island bushfires.”

The Skycrane helicopters are currently based in NSW, Victoria and the ACT and will be repositioned to other operational areas as required.

“These national arrangements are an example of Australia's firefighting and land management agencies working together to provide greater community fire protection,” Mr McClelland said.

In his first media event as Attorney-General, Robert McClelland joined the ACT's minister for Police and Emergency Services, Simon Corbell, to welcome the Erickson Aircrane water-bomber that will be based in Canberra for this fire season. It's one of four to be based in Australia to help bushfire fighting efforts through the summer. Click thumbnail to see a larger version of the pictures.

 

Media Contact:              Tom Cameron             0417 147 932

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