[2] The first minister Michael Bruxner stated that the objective of the organisation was not just air raids, but to deal with any major catastrophe, such as fires or floods, including the co-ordination of existing organisations such as the Ambulance, the Fire Brigades, the Red Cross, and the Police Department.

The Minister for National Emergency Services had two principal activities: a) the provision of measures for the protection of the life and property of the people, such as provision of air raid warnings, lighting control, air raid shelters, protection of vital plant and numerous other schemes to meet emergency conditions; and b) operational activities, including the organisation of personnel trained in specialist duties to cope with the immediate effects of enemy attack.

The scheme provided for the formation of a Civil Defence Organisation upon a municipal or shire basis.

Arrangements were made for the establishment of a special control staff at headquarters to assist in the event of an attack.

[2] The National Emergency Act 1941 received assent on 20 March 1941,[7] and remained in force for the duration of hostilities with Germany and for a period of six months thereafter.

[12][13][14] In March 2022 the New South Wales Premier appointed Steph Cooke MP as the Minister for Flood Recovery.