Joint media release with Senator the Hon Malarndirri McCarthy, Luke Gosling OAM MP, and Marion Scrymgour MP
The Albanese Government is further boosting disaster response capabilities in the country’s north by pre-positioning crucial emergency equipment in the Northern Territory.
Supplied from the National Emergency Management Stockpile, the camp can be used as emergency accommodation for disaster-impacted communities when they need to be evacuated from their homes.
The camp includes 13 large soft-shelter tents, heating and cooling systems, bedding, external and internal lighting and power, water storage and treatment systems, power generators and ablution blocks
It supports up to 100 people and can also be used by emergency services so they can stay closer to where response efforts are needed.
The soft-shelter camp is being pre-positioned in Darwin so that it can be deployed quickly if needed this Higher Risk Weather Season.
It is off-grid capable in case infrastructure is damaged or switched off for safety reasons because of severe weather.
It will be available for deployment to any affected community across Australia if requested by state or territory governments.
The National Emergency Management Stockpile is Australia’s national stockpile of critical goods and services that can be deployed when state and territory resources are stretched during significant emergencies.
NEMS assets deployed since 2022 include emergency shelter camps, ultraviolet water treatment systems, sandbags, medium-to-high output power generators, diesel fuel tanks, high volume de-watering pumps and reusable flood barriers.
NEMS has been used in response to emergencies across Australia including Tropical Cyclones Jasper and Alfred, the 2025 NSW East Coast floods and the 2026 South Australian Deep Creek bushfires.
These deployments are made possible by the NEMS Standing Offer Panel, which connects approved vendors with all levels of government, providing access to continually expanding goods and services categories at speed when it’s needed most.
More information about the NEMS is available at National Emergency Management Stockpile.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain
“The Albanese Government has been working very closely with the states and territories to ensure we are well placed to respond to what is going to be another difficult Higher Risk Weather Season.
“While we can't predict exactly when extreme events will occur, we can make sure we're prepared and that’s exactly what we’re doing through investments such as the National Emergency Management Stockpile.”
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians Senator Malarndirri McCarthy
“Preparedness for disasters is a year-round effort, and this pre-positioning will strengthen preparedness for northern Australia.
“Having this emergency accommodation capability in Darwin means support can more readily be directed to communities in need in the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia, including First Nations communities.”
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Solomon Luke Gosling OAM
“Territorians are no strangers to extreme weather, and we’ve already experienced bushfires and severe storms this year.
“Having emergency equipment pre-positioned in the Top End means we will be able to assist impacted communities as quickly as possible in the event of a major storm, flood, or fire.
“Now is the time to remind people to prepare your homes, update your emergency management plans, and stock up on any items you might need in your cyclone and fire kits.”
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Lingiari Marion Scrymgour
“The Territory faces some of the most intense weather events in the country and the Federal Government is investing heavily to make sure that we are prepared for the high-risk weather season.
“We’re working closely with all levels of Government to boost preparedness, roll out assistance early and investing in the resources we need during disaster season.”
