EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ACT 2005 - SECT 56

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ACT 2005 - SECT 56

56 .         Minister may make state of emergency declaration

        (1)         The Minister may, in writing, declare that a state of emergency exists in the whole or in any area or areas of the State.

        (2)         The Minister must not make a declaration under this section unless the Minister —

            (a)         has considered the advice of the State Emergency Coordinator; and

            (b)         is satisfied that an emergency has occurred, is occurring or is imminent; and

            (c)         is satisfied that extraordinary measures are required to prevent or minimise —

                  (i)         loss of life, prejudice to the safety, or harm to the health, of persons or animals; or

                  (ii)         destruction of, or damage to, property; or

                  (iii)         destruction of, or damage to, any part of the environment.

        (3)         A declaration under this section is to include —

            (a)         the time when, and date on which, the declaration is made; and

            (b)         the area of the State to which it applies.

        (4)         The making of a state of emergency declaration does not prevent the making of further state of emergency declarations in relation to the same or a different emergency.