Legislation

The Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Act 2002

The Civil Defence Emergency Management Act (CDEM Act) 2002 came into effect on 1 December 2002. It replaced the Civil Defence Act 1983.

CDEM Act 2002 - Principal Provisions

The CDEM Act 2002 updates and redefines the duties, functions and powers of central government, local government, emergency services, lifeline utilities and the general public.

Purpose of the CDEM Act 2002

The CDEM Act 2002 improves/promotes:

the reduction of risks through partnerships with communities
the reduction of community disruption from avoidable hazards and risks
the reduction of fiscal risks from the costs of disruption
more effective and efficient emergency readiness, response and recovery through the integrated activities of responsible agencies and relevant disciplines
a culture, processes and structures that encourage and enable people and communities to undertake risk management, build operational capabilities for response and recover from emergencies.

Other Relevant Matters

The purpose of the CDEM Act 2002 is to:

improve and promote the sustainable management of hazards to contribute to well-being, the safety of the public and the protection of property
encourage and enable communities to achieve acceptable levels of risk by applying risk management
provide for planning and preparation for emergencies and response and recovery in the event of an emergency
require local authorities to coordinate CDEM through regional groups
integrate local and national CDEM planning and activity
encourage the coordination of emergency management across emergency sectors

The CDEM Framework involves several instruments of which the CDEM Act 2002 is but one. The instruments of the CDEM Framework include:

CDEM Regulations
National CDEM Strategy
National CDEM Plan
CDEM Group Plans
Director's Guidelines
other statutes (e.g. Biosecurity Act 1993, Building Act 1991, Fire Service Act 1975, Forest and Rural Fires Act 1977, Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996, Health Act 1956, Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, Local Government Act 1974, Maritime Transport Act 1994, Resource Management Act 1991).

Other CDEM Related Legislation

Legislation relating to CDEM is not just limited to the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002. A variety of other legislation impacts on CDEM. These Acts may place requirements on particular groups, assist in land use planning and hazard identification or they may be the Acts that govern particular lifeline utilities. They all play a role in CDEM and may be useful as reference points for those wanting additional information about a particular issue in the CDEM Act 2002.

They include: