A state of emergency is an executive order or other declaration by a governor or another high-level official to authorize the exercise of certain authorities and actions. It can be used to respond to a variety of situations from natural disasters to civil unrest, and it can impose restrictions on localities and the public, depending on the circumstances of the emergency.
State of emergency declarations can include provisions to activate the State’s response and recovery plans, impose additional resources such as military personnel or private contractors, waive local requirements, and allow the Governor to enter into agreements with the Federal government for assistance. They can also obligate State, territory or local governments to a set amount of cost-sharing and require that the Governor provide a report on how these funds will be spent.
The state of emergency process is unique to each State. The Governor’s declaration must clearly address the effective dates and duration of the emergency, the geographic areas covered, the conditions giving rise to the emergency, the agency or agencies leading response activities, and the effects on local governments, the private sector, and the public.
The Victorian Premier has the power to declare a state of emergency under the Public Safety Preservation Act 1958 in the event of an emergency, including threats to employment, safety and public order. This allows the Premier to make regulations deemed necessary for the purpose of securing these goals and may last up to 30 days, unless revoked by Parliament. The United Kingdom’s Emergency Powers Act provides the British Sovereign, acting on advice of the Privy Council, with powers to introduce emergency regulations relating to a foreign war, a threat of nuclear attack by a hostile power, or a national security emergency.
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