The Government's ability to respond to natural disasters or acts of terrorism is set to improve after Australia's new Crisis Coordination Centre was opened in Canberra today.
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Risks to Australia and Australians are monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week by employees in the $14 million purpose-built centre.
Attorney-General Robert McClelland said the centre connected Commonwealth, state and territory agencies to centralise Australian government actions during conflicts and national emergencies.
"It does this to develop in real time a single and consistent understanding of a crisis, its implications and our national capability to respond," he said.
During normal times, 22 government officers watch for emerging threats within Australia and internationally.
The centre has capacity for up to 100 officers during crisis situations.
"Operating from its temporary premises from September 2010, the [centre] coordinated Australian Government assistance during the Queensland floods, Tropical Cyclone Yasi, the New Zealand earthquake and Victorian floods," Mr McClelland said.
