An assessment of the effectiveness of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water's implementation of the National Waste Policy Action Plan 2019. The audit made five recommendations to improve the department’s risk management processes; management of shared risks; performance monitoring and evaluation; and clarity over action scope or deliverables.

An independent review that aims to learn the lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic in order for Australia to be better prepared for future health crises, it makes four findings where improvements can be made, and six recommendations to put societal fault lines at the centre of improving response to the next health crisis.

Volunteers from culturally diverse groups played an important role in assisting Victorians disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This report examines critical success factors for volunteer engagement among culturally diverse groups, and makes recommendations for sustained engagement of local communities beyond one-off outreach events.

An examination of both the ‘usual’ pattern of volunteering (undertaken in the 12 months of 2019) and volunteering behaviours from April-June 2020 when the impact of COVID-19 altered the work, travel and daily pattern of life across Victoria, it shows an increasingly professionalised workforce, with leaders of volunteers actively developing the skills and careers of Victorians through volunteering. There is further potential through volunteering to contribute even more to Victorian productivity and community wellbeing.

An assessment of vaccine mandates imposed on workers through pandemic orders, the report found that while the benefits of vaccine mandates protected essential services and supply chains, reduced economic disruptions and protected the health system, the decision-making process for why classes of workers were included in pandemic orders was not clearly communicated.

An assessment of the Victorian Government’s approach relating to pandemic orders and health related communications against best practice. The report found that significant effort was made to ensure the timely provision of consistent and relevant information utilising a diversity of methods and platforms.

A summary of the outcomes and improvements following 11 Ombudsman reports and recommendations tabled in Parliament in between May 2020 and December 2021. The reports span two years when the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to inequality, disadvantage and vulnerability.

A report that aims to improve the health and safety outcomes of all Victorians who may come into contact with asbestos and prevent future deaths from asbestos-related disease, it makes 21 recommendations towards prevention of disease and, ultimately saving lives. It recommends the appointment of a senior manager role within state government to work solely with local governments on asbestos management issues to assist in the development of a range of communications, guidelines and asbestos management policies including preparation for, and response to, emergency events.

A research report that estimates direct costs from extreme weather events are to grow by 5.13 per cent each year and reach $35.24 billion by 2050, directly costing Australian households an average of $2,509.16 every year. The report concludes that if we are to mitigate the rising costs of extreme weather, the federal government should focus more on resilience and future-proofing

A report drawn from the insights and experiences of the Multicultural Emergency Management Partnership, it collected experiences around culturally responsive practices related to bushfires and other emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights the critical importance of strong connections and engagement between multicultural communities, government and the emergency management sector.