FLOOD, FIRE AND LOCAL LEADERSHIP

Summer 2019/20 has been characterised by bushfire emergencies and floods on a scale not previously experienced. Despite the brave efforts of fire fighters and aerial bombers, entire communities have been devastated by the loss of property and stock, uncertainties around future income and the tragedy of the loss of life.

For many, of course, bushfire has come on top of the heartbreak and financial devastation of long-running and profound drought. And, in all communities the challenge of rebuilding lives and livelihoods will be a significant trial, with government-announced measures to assist in that recovery simply a first step to a new beginning.

The bushfire crisis has not been limited to the farming sector, which has a long history of dealing with the uncertainties of the Australian climate and landscape. Tourism regions from the Gold Coast through to the South Coast of NSW, Gippsland and Kangaroo Island have experienced the trauma of tourists stranded or left with no choice but to cancel holidays, and in some instances, being forced to evacuate by boat. The imagery of these struggles has spread worldwide, and while it speaks to the courage and resilience of the affected individuals, it also makes attracting tourists back to these places more difficult.

Many of us have seen by now the footage of the Prime Minister being rejected by some people and told off by others as he entered fire devastated communities in Victoria and NSW. Residents and firefighters channelled an anger expressed in many corners of the country, on social and mainstream media, at what Australians perceived as a failure of strategic leadership during an emergency. Perhaps the PM’s mistake in Cobargo that day, as a national leader, was to try to behave as if he were a local leader.

More than we realise, Australians look to local leaders time and time again, especially in times of crisis. In our research we found when Australians are challenged by events beyond their control, or the influence of any individual, people expect high profile individuals such as mayors, the leaders of community groups and leading business people within their community to step up and take action.  By contrast, Australians don’t often look to their local MP - whether state or Federal – to provide the on-the-ground assistance they need. So why aren’t politicians – the people who make a profession out of providing community-wide leadership – the people we turn to in tough times?

In places such as Finland, Germany, the USA and Italy leadership comes from a different place, and this difference tells us something very important about government in Australia. In other nations leadership is grounded in well-developed public sector institutions, with specialist staff who have specialist training and dedicated local resources. In Australia we look to the voluntary efforts of individuals from industry and the broader community because communities tend to have an indirect relationship with state and federal government. Communities know that at best there is only a small chance they will receive the assistance they are looking for.

And, in a system of government where power is highly centralised, party politics also plays a role.  At a fundamental level the way Australia’s state and federal governments respond to bushfire and other emergencies reflects some of the quirks of our constitutional arrangements, and the disconnect they create between Australians in need and their governments. 

As Australians have responded to the bushfire crisis local leaders have continually risen to the challenge. These are people who live and work in these communities, and who may take an active role in responding to fires and other challenges, but as local figures they also serve as a point of advice for local residents and emergency services, are there to provide support for those forced to evacuate, and they also have a role to play in planning for recovery.  In some cases, mayors lead fund raising efforts.

Meanwhile, Australia’s central governments struggle to provide the local, on-the ground assistance communities need because in some instances party political processes are at play. In other cases it’s because power and money is concentrated in central government agencies a long way from the crisis centres.  

All of this contributes to the relative impotence of professional politicians at times of crisis. In periods of stress – such as the bushfires or floods – when practical help is needed immediately, political leaders are too often too distant, too disengaged or too focussed on the long-term political fallout.  And in, part, it has become embedded in political life and culture.

In the long term, climate change is going to require Australia as a whole to have better responses to both the devastating fires and the floods that follow them. Technology and better planning will provide part of the solution, as will better resourcing for those on the front line battling all types of emergencies, but all that will be in vain unless we also commit to improve our system of government and how it responds to crisis.