The Resilience Matters webinar series will focus on systems, environments and human factors that intersect to influence the varying levels of risk, harm and equity that people experience before, during and after a disaster. 

Presenters from a variety of research, government and community backgrounds will be invited to provide their insights and perspectives as we seek to understand how we can reduce harm in these systems to reduce disaster risk and build resilience.

Throughout the series, we will build on these foundational concepts. Everyone is welcome to attend, whether you are an experienced practitioner or new to these concepts, or somewhere in between.

Look out for new webinars as they are developed and added to the events calendar.

Webinar three: The policy context - from global frameworks to national documents

Wednesday 23 July 2025

AIDR welcomes Andrew Minack, First Assistant Coordinator General - Policy and Governance, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

NEMA coordinates Australia's commitments under the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework, and Second National Action Plan.

Andrew will discuss how these frameworks and the action plan guide the Australian Government's approach to disaster risk reduction and building resilience, and the work that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is doing to implement them.

Andrew will also highlight some of the opportunities and challenges in making resilience and disaster risk reduction matter at a national level as NEMA seeks to effectively apply global priorities in national, state and regional contexts across Australia.

Guest Speakers:

Andrew Minack

First Assistant Coordinator General - Policy and Governance, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)

Andrew has had an extensive public sector career, working at an executive level in a range of Federal, state and local government agencies. He currently serves as the First Assistant Coordinator-General responsible for disaster resilience and recovery policy within the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Prior to his role at NEMA, he led the establishment and operation of the Corporate Division for the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing. He was also involved in the operational response to the COVID-19 pandemic and served as Deputy Secretary at Emergency Management Victoria during the 2019/2020 bushfires.

Andrew has been involved in several highly complex reform projects in the public sector, in multiple agencies. He has also held executive roles in Victoria Police, where he was responsible for corporate strategy, stakeholder engagement, and performance improvement.

Outside of his professional life, Andrew enjoys surfing, walking in the Scottish Highlands, and is a tragic Richmond Football Club supporter.

John Richardson (host)

Executive Director, Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience (AIDR)