Obey tsunami warnings or else - AG

08.03.2010

Mr McClelland has ordered a review of the public response to tsunami warnings after lifesavers struggled to clear beaches on the New South Wales and Queensland coast following the earthquake that struck Chile on February 27.

Today, Mr McClelland introduced a tsunami information program in conjunction with Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) to educate the public of the very real dangers of tsunamis.

It was "disappointing but understandable" that so many people travelled to beaches to view the waves last Sunday, Mr McClelland said.

"People saw the earthquake of course literally thousands of kilometres away and didn't appreciate the dangers," he said.

"All this material will inform the public just how inappropriate that is."

The tsunami awareness program includes an interactive online resource to assist life savers deal with the general public in the event of a tsunami warning.

And in future police and emergency services may be used to evacuate beaches, Mr McClelland said.

"The public should take the attitude that emergency responders provide public warnings.

"They should abide by them because they are not lightly given, they're not given at a drop of a hat," he said.

Mr McClelland has asked the NSW and Queensland Emergency Ministers and surf life saving organisations to review the public response to tsunami warnings.

The review will examine ways to educate the public and how to effectively distribute tsunami warnings.

Although there is a danger the public may be sceptical of tsunami warnings after the predicted waves failed to reach most of the east coast last Sunday, Mr McClelland said the warning was justified.

"I think unquestionably, the warning issued last weekend was appropriate," he said.