Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd quoted statements regarding future natural disasters. (third last paragraph quotation is quite telling). http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/10/25/2723484.htm?section=justin

Recently the Federal Government also approved funding for a new 'situation room' for the PM to deal with crises. http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26149306-953,00.html
   
Australian Government  disaster initiative newly introduced (Nov 2009)-Emergency Alert System.
Link to site- http://www.emergencyalert.gov.au/frequently-asked-questions/6-how-does-it-work/15-what-will-the-alert-say-.html

A major Earth change conference of thousands of scientists to be held in Melbourne in 2011 appropriately titled 'Earth on the Edge'. 
http://www.csiro.au/news/Earth-on-the-edge-2011.html

Department of Climate Change recently established at great expense. Contrary to the article, it WILL be put to use in a logistical capacity. Short term lease until 2012.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/department-of-hot-air-costing-90-million/story-e6freuy9-1225859616207

Natural Disaster Resilience Program: Ask yourself, why all these new initiatives NOW?!!!
http://www.ema.gov.au/www/emaweb/emaweb.nsf/Page/FundingandGrants_FundedPrograms_NaturalDisasterResilienceProgram


Australian Attorney General statements on importance of disaster preparedness. (ninemsn news).

Aussies need to be resilient: McClelland

Thursday Aug 21 2008

By Peter Veness

Australians need to change their attitude of relying on emergency workers in the aftermath of major disasters, federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland says.

In a major speech to national security experts in Melbourne, Mr McClelland said it was his ambition to make people more "resilient" in the face of natural disasters and terrorist attacks.

"Australians cannot simply rely upon emergency services to do it all," Mr McClelland said on Thursday.

"We must realise that regardless of who we are or where we live, we all have a role in disaster preparedness."

Since taking on the law and national security portfolio Mr McClelland has had a constant focus on the idea of resilience to disaster.

It is an idea backed by many analysts who believe spending money on resilience is as important as trying to stop terrorist attacks.

"If people are able to sustain themselves in the immediate aftermath of a crisis it takes pressure off emergency responders who are able to focus on addressing the immediate crisis," Mr McClelland said.

Shifting community attitudes would not be an easy task but the work was already underway.

Mr McClelland said the government was already working to boost volunteer numbers across the community and develop better communication networks for cities, towns, suburbs and those in remote areas.

"In asking individuals within communities to go the extra mile in preparing themselves against disaster, the government also expects a similar approach from private enterprise, particularly the insurance industry," he said.

"We want insurance companies to be clearer in telling their clients just what their insurance covers especially in defining flood events."

In closing his speech, Mr McClelland returned to his theme of resilience.

"The heart of the matter is the protection of how Australia goes about its business, of preparing our economy and our society to recover from crises, man made or from natural disasters which we know are inevitable."