The Ministerial Council for Police and Emergency Management (MCPEM) meeting was held in Canberra last week. This was the first meeting since these responsibilities moved to the Home Affairs portfolio and was hosted by the Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton and Assistant Minister for Home Affairs Senator Linda Reynolds.
The meeting brought together ministers for police and emergency management from the Commonwealth, states and territories and New Zealand, and ALGA.
The Assistant Minister said she was pleased that ahead of a hazardous summer bushfire season the Council reaffirmed its commitment to key emergency management initiatives that will better protect the community.
"I am pleased with the progress made on a new national fire danger ratings system and a roadmap for 21st century communications for Australia's first responders," Assistant Minister Reynolds said.
The discussions at the MCPEM meeting will feed into preparations for the forthcoming Council of Australian Governments meeting to be held in December.