Former emergency leaders back councils' push on disaster damage
Emergency Leaders for Climate Action
June 24, 2026
Former fire and emergency service leaders welcome the local government push led by Sydney City Council for a national levy on coal, oil and gas companies, as communities grapple with the escalating costs of climate-driven disasters.
Former Commissioner, Fire and Rescue NSW and founder of the Emergency Leaders for Climate Action Greg Mullins said: “We can’t expect local councils to pay for rising damage bills while companies profit from climate pollution, driving these worsening disasters.”
“As a group of 38 former emergency service leaders we’ve warned that coal, oil and gas companies are pouring fuel on the fire, intensifying climate-fuelled bushfires and other disasters, while communities all over Australia are paying the price. Our ‘Too Close to Home’ report found four out of five local government areas have been hit by disasters in recent years.”
“To best help communities we need to cut climate pollution fast, and prepare for the warming that’s already locked in. The motion being considered by councils in Canberra today would help do this, and put some of the costs back on polluters.”
“Emergency Leaders for Climate Action has called for a fully funded National Adaptation Plan, because every dollar spent on preparing for disasters saves between $2 and $11 in avoided recovery costs. Councils need dedicated funding to help prepare for future fires, floods and storms made worse by climate pollution.”
ENDS
About us:
About Emergency Leaders for Climate Action: We are 38 former senior Australian fire and emergency service leaders who have observed how climate change is driving increasingly catastrophic extreme weather events that are putting lives, properties and livelihoods at greater risk and overwhelming our emergency services.
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For interviews please contact Jacqui Street on 0498 188 528 / [email protected]