Northern Territory Emergency Reponse
Governance and leadership
The Government is committed to working cooperatively with the communities involved in the NTER and has been regularly consulting with an Indigenous Reference Group.
Government Business Managers (GBMs) are the local face of the Emergency Response, coordinating government business and living in and working with communities. Their knowledge of local progress of NTER measures and information on local issues and concerns guides coordinated government action and decision-making tailored to the particular needs of each community. The Budget provides $30.8 million in 2008-09 for the continuation of their role. A further $7.0 million in 2008-09 is provided for improved staff accommodation for government personnel currently residing in cyclone-prone remote Northern Territory communities.
Community engagement will be enhanced with $3.8 million in 2008-09 for the employment of up to 20 Indigenous community members to act as community agents. Agents will be a conduit between community and government representatives, engaging families and individuals in the NTER and working to bring about greater community input into government decision-making.
Early lessons from the roll out of NTER measures show that effective engagement of local people in the design and delivery of activities is a key to achieving improved outcomes.
A further $32.4 million has been committed in 2008-09 for NTER leadership and coordination activities. This funding will support NTER activities through providing logistical and administrative support. This measure will also provide for a community capability fund which can be used by GBMs for practical responses to the needs of local people, particularly in the areas of environmental health and safety. It will also support ongoing monitoring of NTER measures and the 12 month review of the NTER.
$0.2 million in 2008-09 has also been committed to support the ongoing role of the Commonwealth Ombudsman in the NTER. The presence of the Commonwealth Ombudsman provides assurance of fair and accountable public administration of the NTER.