Joint media release: Resetting the Australian Climate Service
Senator the Hon Murray Watt, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Minister for Emergency Management
Senator the Hon Jenny McAllister, Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy
The Albanese Government has commissioned an independent review of the Australian Climate Service (ACS) to ensure Australia has the data and resources needed to understand and act on current and future climate risks.
The Albanese Government is delivering real action to limit the impacts of climate change, but the effects of extreme weather are already a reality for many. Last year, 70 percent of Australians lived in a disaster declared area. These communities have experienced real hardship and understand the impacts that arise from extreme weather events. Events like these will only become more frequent and more intense due to climate change.
After a decade of climate denial and delay, the Albanese Government is ensuring that we have the systems and information we need to prepare for the impacts of climate change. The review of the ACS will support this objective.
Established in July 2021, the ACS brings together the information and expertise of the Bureau of Meteorology, CSIRO, the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Geoscience Australia. The information it collects is used to assist to respond to natural disasters and identify other climate risks.
The review will provide advice on the performance, scope, and resourcing needed to deliver on Australia’s future climate information needs. The government has appointed former NSW Chief Scientist Professor Mary O’Kane as Chair of the independent review panel and Daryl Quinlivan and Dr Russell Reichelt as panel members.
The ACS will continue to provide vital advice and climate information to government over the course of the review.
Minister for Emergency Management Senator the Hon Murray Watt said that the establishment of the Australian Climate Service was a recommendation of the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements.
“This review will help to ensure the ACS is delivering on the expectations set out by the Royal Commission, to inform future risk awareness, and allow more targeted mitigation in the future,” Minister Watt said.
“While the review is being undertaken, the ACS will continue to provide valuable advice to the National Emergency Management Agency during the Higher Risk Weather Season.”
Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Jenny McAllister said it’s essential that we have accurate, timely and accessible information to prepare and respond to increasing climate extremes and natural disasters.
“Our government is committed to building greater national climate and disaster risk information capability, to provide authoritative data and analytical tools for governments, industry, and the public.
“We know that despite the ongoing international efforts to reduce emissions, some impacts of climate change are now unavoidable. Through our government’s National Climate Risk Assessment, National Adaptation Plan, and this review, we are taking strong action to identify the risks, and plan our response.
“Unlike the former government, we accept the science of climate change. This means we must recalibrate our institutions to ensure they are fit for the challenges we have ahead of us.
“Unfortunately, the Coalition continues to demonstrate the same division and dysfunction when it comes to climate policy. Only last month, parts of National Party pushed to axe net-zero as a party commitment. The Albanese Government will ensure Australia has the best institutions providing the very best information to support climate adaptation and disaster risk management action.”
The final report of the independent review will be delivered by the panel by the end of March 2024.