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16. Legislative and Governance Review
This section provides an overview of the roles of governments, relevant legislation, governance
arrangements, strategy and policy applicable to climate change adaptation. Based on this review and
discussions with key government representatives, a description of barriers to adaptation is also provided.
16.1. Roles of Commonwealth, State and Local Governments
The roles of Commonwealth, State and Local governments in relation to climate change adaptation are
described by a range of documents, including the
Climate Change Adaptation Framework for South
Australia
(SA Government 2012),
Adapting to Climate Change in Australia: An Australian Government
Position Paper
(Australian Government 2010a), and
Climate Change Adaptation Actions for Local
Government
(Australian Government’s (2010b).
The broad roles are outlined below.
16.1.1. Commonwealth Government
Key areas of responsibility for the Commonwealth Government are:
x
Establish policy framework to implement Australia’s commitments to relevant international treaties,
namely the Kyoto Protocol.
x
Maintaining a strong, flexible economy and a social safety net, that ensures resources are available
and can be efficiently deployed, price signals support decision-making, and supporting vulnerable
groups.
x
Leading national reform to address economic and natural risks.
x
Managing Commonwealth assets and programs that protect the nation, community and environment.
x
Provision of national science and information to support adaptation programs by stakeholders.
x
Working with government to develop consistent approaches to adaptation responses, including risk
assessment and modelling tools.
x
Sharing of information across jurisdictions by facilitating national adaptation forums
16.1.2. State Government
The broad roles for State Government are similar to that of the Commonwealth, but focussed largely at a
State level. The key roles include:
x
Developing legal and policy reforms to support climate resilience and adaptive capacity.
x
Provision of regional science and information.
x
Managing public assets, infrastructure, service delivery and programs.
x
Cooperation with other governments to implement national adaptation reform.
As outlined in the
Climate Change Adaptation Framework for South Australia
(South Australian
Government, 2012b), some of the specific roles for the State Government include:
x
raising community awareness and promoting a risk management response to climate change
adaptation by government and private parties
