A state of emergency allows a government to put through policies that it wouldn’t otherwise be able to do for the safety and protection of its citizens. It can be declared during or after a natural disaster, civil unrest, an armed conflict, a medical pandemic or epidemic or any other biosecurity risk.

It gives the government a broad range of powers that it wouldn’t normally be able to use, such as confiscating property, ordering civilians or forcing evacuations. It can also allow large expenses to be approved without consulting with parliament and with no due process, such as rebuilding infrastructure or paying for firefighters to fight a fire. It can also allow the military to be used in areas that would normally be deemed too dangerous for regular soldiers, such as during a civil emergency or in situations where there is a danger of extensive property damage caused by looting or arson.

These powers can be very controversial, and in some cases, can lead to human rights violations or a loss of democracy. They can also be abused by a government that wants to suppress internal opposition. For example, the August 1991 coup in the Soviet Union was invoked by those who opposed Mikhail Gorbachev’s glasnost and perestroika reforms.

In Australia, the Prime Minister can declare a state of emergency to apply laws or regulations to protect employment and public order. This applies to the whole country or a specified region and can last for up to 30 days, though a resolution of either the upper or lower house of parliament may revoke it earlier. In New Zealand, the Governor of a province has similar powers to issue an emergency declaration and can make regulations. These can apply to the entire nation or a specific region and will usually suspend normal work and other essential services.