Editorial: Strong leadership

OPINION: One of the sternest tests for any leader occurs when disaster strikes.

Former United States President George W Bush failed this test with his belated and inadequate response to Hurricane Katrina.

By contrast former New York Mayor Rudi Giuliani was widely praised for his swift action after 9/11. And, fortunately, the response of the authorities at both a local and national level to Saturday's earthquake in Canterbury has also been rapid and decisive.

After the Cabinet meeting on Monday Prime Minister John Key announced a $5 million contribution to the mayoral relief fund and undoubtedly, given the scale of the devastation, this will be added to in coming weeks. The Government has also urged the Inland Revenue Department and banks to be flexible to help businesses.

A special Cabinet committee on Canterbury reconstruction has been established, and local Cabinet member Gerry Brownlie has been appointed to be the minister responsible for earthquake recovery. In addition, Key has shown his solidarity with Canterbury residents by cancelling his scheduled trip to Britain.

In the initial stages of the response to the quake it is at the local level that many of the decisions which impact directly on the daily lives of people must be made. Although there have been complaints of neglect from some areas, notably Kaiapoi, firm leadership has generally been shown by regional mayors.

Mayor Bob Parker wasted no time on Saturday before he declared a state of emergency in Christchurch and was also instrumental in gaining Government approval for the army being brought in to help.

Parker has signalled that his focus is squarely on earthquake relief, rather than campaigning, by pulling out of a mayoral debate which The Press had planned.

He has also been to the fore in fronting up to the news media, while local council and civil defence websites, including the combined "Canterbury Earthquake" site, have released a steady stream of progress updates. This flow of information is necessary to allow residents, many still stunned by the quake and its aftershocks, to plan their lives.

Local civil defence authorities, the police and the Canterbury Medical Officer of Health, Alistair Humphrey, have used the special powers they acquire when an emergency is declared and which allow immediate action to be taken in the public interest.

Using these powers schools were closed across Christchurch, Selwyn and part of Waimakariri due to fears about unsafe buildings, water quality and sewerage.

One of the most visible actions taken by the authorities has been to place cordons, staffed by police officers and army personnel, around the central business district. While these are an inconvenience for some businesses and workers, the vast majority of residents accept that they are essential. After a quake of Saturday's magnitude and with the shocks still continuing to threaten buildings it was imperative that the priority was on public safety and giving inspectors the time and space to assess damage.

And the judiciary has sent a clear message that looters will be handed down stiff sentences.

An earthquake as ferocious as that on Saturday will take months or years to fully recover from. But the leadership of the authorities to date gives confidence that they are up to the enormous challenges which lie ahead.

- © Fairfax NZ News