Special circumstances

Issues and crisis management

Strategic issues or crisis management enables the anticipation and tracking of problems and opportunities that can impact on the government, its operations, brand perception and stakeholders, including the Tasmanian community.

Through issues or crisis management, the government can identify and address any gaps between the expectations of its stakeholders and its performance, and take considered action that may involve organisational change and/or a communications strategy or campaign.

Effective communication is an integral part of issues management because of the potential for an unmanaged issue to become a crisis and negatively impact an organisation’s reputation, its ability to deliver services and its stakeholders.

Strategic issues management establishes the protocols for reacting to a crisis to help limit damage to reputation.

All crisis communications response and management should be initially directed to your agency’s Communications Manager.

Emergency management communications

A planned, coordinated and strategic emergency management approach is imperative before, during and after times of emergency situations to:

• ensure consistent messaging is understood across government (prior to it being delivered to the community)
• prevent injury or loss of life
• help limit damage to assets, property, and reputation
• help maintain the delivery of public services
• assist in the process of recovery
• minimise impact on stakeholders
• influence and inform public debate and discussion
• help establish, maintain or restore public confidence in government.

Emergency management communications should be initially directed to your agency’s Communications Manager and the Government Communications Office.

Caretaker arrangements

During the period preceding an election for the House of Assembly, the Tasmanian Government assumes a ‘caretaker role’. The caretaker period begins at the time the House of Assembly is dissolved or expires and continues until the result of the election is clear, and, if there is to be a change of government, until the new government is appointed.

During the caretaker period, the business of government continues and ordinary matters of administration continue. The role of government agencies remains unchanged: the provision of all normal services should continue and statutory responsibilities are not affected. However, caretaker conventions are implemented to protect the apolitical nature of the State Service during an election campaign.

At the beginning of the caretaker period, individual agencies need to review all communications activity, including television and print advertising, newsletters and information on websites, to ensure it is apolitical and does not promote the government’s policies or emphasise the achievements of the government or a minister.

Agency communications managers can provide advice from an agency perspective. Updated Caretaker Guidelines will be issued by DPAC prior to an election taking place.