Student researcher

Dr Sue Hunt Research Leader

This research investigated good practice for disaster resilience policy implementation. The study proposed a good practice framework with four broad policy domains and policy objectives that could be used to achieve successful implementation. The framework is based on a model of dynamic and networked adaptive capacities: social capital, community competence, economic development, and information and communication. The provisional framework was applied to five disaster resilience case studies: one at each level of government, one in the business sector and one in a not-for-profit organisation.

This provided information about the extent that implementation of the five activities was being informed by disaster resilience policy objectives. It was found that the principal of subsidiarity, which is closely aligned with federalism, can account for the relative success of some implementation practices as well as explain how others could be improved. The application of subsidiarity as the guiding principle of governance in the Australian disaster management system would ensure power is shared effectively by regarding the need for capacity building, negotiated roles and responsibilities, unrestricted access to information, and effective coordination across the system. So, subsidiarity was incorporated as the 5th policy domain of the Disaster Resilience Policy Implementation Framework, providing a useful resource for disaster resilience policy practitioners.

Year Type Citation
2020 Thesis Hunt, S. Implementing disaster resilience policy in the Australian Federation. Fenner School of Environment & Society Doctor of Philosophy, 329 (2020).
2017 Conference Paper Rumsewicz, M. Research proceedings from the 2017 Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC and AFAC Conference. Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC & AFAC annual conference 2017 (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, 2017).
2017 Conference Paper Hunt, S. Implementing disaster resilience policy in the Australian Federation. AFAC17 (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, 2017).
2016 Journal Article Hunt, S. Building adaptive capacities for disaster resilience: what role for government?. Australian Journal of Emergency Management 31, (2016).
2015 Conference Paper Hunt, S. Implementing policy for enabling disaster resilience in the Australian federation: what role for government? - non peer reviewed extended abstract. Adelaide Conference 2015 (2015).
2015 Conference Paper Rumsewicz, M. Research proceedings from the 2015 Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC & AFAC conference. Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC & AFAC annual conference 2015 (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, 2015).
Growing community disaster resilience: Are arrangements for implementing the national strategy for disaster resilience fit-for-purpose?
25 Aug 2014
This research will investigate the effectiveness of the National Strategy for Disaster Resilience (NSDR) as a...
Resilient cultures and the role of innovation in building capacity
25 Aug 2014
At the core of innovation is people, how they communicate, the decisions they make and the values that shape...
Implementing Policy for Enabling Disaster Resilience: Making it Happen in a Federal System
18 Aug 2015
Disaster resilience policy is being implemented via a range of programs and activities across Australia....
Susan Hunt Conference Poster 2016
12 Aug 2016
Disaster resilience policy is being implemented via a range of programs and activities across Australia.
Implementing disaster resilience policy: making it happen in a federal system
30 Jun 2017
Disaster resilience policy is being implemented via a range of programs and activites across Australia -...
Implementing disaster resilience policy: making it happen in a federal system
18 Sep 2018
Disaster resilience policy is being implemented via a range of programs and activities across Australia -...
31 Aug 2020
Key findings: Successful disaster resilience policy relies on effective implementation enacted through...