Australia will play a lead role in co-ordinating rapid response natural disaster teams across the Asia Pacific under a new international agreement expected to be signed in the coming days. The region-wide disaster plan will push for quarantine laws to be relaxed for quick deployment of Australian sniffer dogs as well as flood and disaster mapping of major cities across the region most at risk. NSW, Queensland and Victorian emergency management units will also likely play a key role in training Asian emergency teams for future disasters. Read More