Barefoot Investor Scott Pape has advised Australians to 'be alert but not alarmed' following advice from overseas governments that people should stockpile in case of an emergency.
asserted
people → advise → emergency
Woolworths introduced emergency kits across the country's east coast in October as Queensland faced severe weather, including flash flooding.
asserted
Queensland → introduce → flooding
At the same time, the UK government launched its 'Be Ready' campaign, urging Britons to keep three days' worth of supplies amid growing concerns about the climate crisis, technological dependence and threats from hostile states.
asserted
government → launch → states
But Pape said he wanted to 'clear a couple of things up' for worried Aussies, saying they should 'be alert but not alarmed'.
asserted
they → say → Aussies
'Our government has not joined in on prepper-prodding the public.
asserted
government → join → public
I'd like to think it's because our leaders are being very careful about the messages they send out,' he said.
asserted
he → like → messages
In fact, I've never experienced anything like it, and I've experienced a lot: bushfires, the GFC (Global Financial Crisis), Kevin Rudd, Covid.
asserted
I → experience → lot
Pape dismissed concerns that governments were preparing for events they were 'not telling us' about, saying the warnings were instead a response to 'dozens' of current threats.
'But they're not secret, they're on the news every night: massive cyber attacks, civil unrest, terrorist attacks, wars, plagues, Donald Trump.
asserted
they → dismiss → news
Any of these could potentially stop life as we know it.
uncertain
we → stop → it
That's just life in 2026,' he said.
asserted
he → say → 2026
Barefoot Investor Scott Pape has advised Aussies to 'be alert but not alarmed' amid concerns that governments are prepping for events they're 'not telling us' about
Instead of worrying about the issue, Pape said Aussies should ensure they have some essential items on hand.
asserted
they → advise → hand
Pictured are shoppers purchasing toilet paper during the Covid pandemic in 2020
asserted
shoppers → picture → 2020
Instead of worrying about the issue, Pape said Australians should ensure they have some basics on hand.
asserted
they → worry → hand
'We live on a farm with four kids, so our home feels like a prepper bunker at the best of times,' he said.
asserted
he → live → times
We're used to the power going out for hours, so we have torches and candles.
asserted
we → go → torches
We're on tank water, and we have some bottles filled because the pumps can stop.
asserted
pumps → have → water
'We grow our own veggies, and we have very fat lambs.
asserted
we → grow → lambs
And while I have some money on hand, I don't like to keep too much because I don't like the thought of getting robbed, and the real thief is inflation eroding its value while it sits not earning any interest.
asserted
it → have → interest
Pape's comments come weeks after the UK Government launched its 'Be Ready' campaign which urged the public to stock three days' worth of bottled water, tinned food, blankets and a wind-up radio.
asserted
which → come → water
Alongside food, water and loo roll, the campaign suggests Britons ensure they keep copies of essential documents such as their passport and physical cash in a safe place should digital payment systems or ATMs fail.
uncertain
systems → suggest → place
People have also been advised to invest in a wind-up FM radio and a power bank in case of power or internet failures, and to prepare a first aid kit.
asserted
People → advise → kit
He said events such as massive cyber attacks, civil unrest and terrorist attacks could 'potentially stop life as we know it'.
uncertain
we → say → it
Pictured is a protest in Belgium last week
However, there have been no such measures regarding 'stockpiling' introduced by the Australian government, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
uncertain
protest → picture → Agency
'The Australian government has not asked Australians to stockpile food or water,' a NEMA spokesperson told Agence France-Presse.
asserted
spokesperson → ask → Presse
'Nor has the Australian government asked Australians to prepare for any specific emergency other than severe weather events we are likely to face this higher-risk weather season.'
Official advice remains that emergency preparedness should be tailored to local conditions and the needs of regional, remote and culturally diverse communities.
asserted
preparedness → ask → communities
The Aporia
