Initial response Bushfire Royal Commission Interim Report

Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, makes initial comment on the Bushfire Royal Commission Interim Report, which was delivered today, Monday 17 August 2009.

It’s a pity that we had to have a tragedy of these proportions for a Royal Commission to investigate and make recommendations for actions which the Brumby Government should have taken years ago in response to previous reports and experience from the 2003, 2006/07 mega fires in particular.

Having read the Executive Summary I note and support:

• The call for more detailed early warnings providing people with more information upon which to decide whether to stay or go keeping in mind the fire risks, the physical and emotional demands of staying;
• The recognition of a role for sirens for early warnings;
• Greater use of commercial and community radio;
• More flexible management of road blocks; and
• Establishment of refuges/’safer’ places.

I remain concerned that:

• The problems of centralised and bureaucratic management and lack of local input has not been adequately addressed; and
• The problems of inadequate basic communication infrastructure, eg: mobile phone coverage, land line maintenance, CFA internal communication coverage, has not been adequately addressed.

The Commission’s Final Report is due to be completed by 31 July next year.

Bill Sykes MP, State Member for Benalla
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture & Water
2/55 Carrier Street, Benalla 3672
Ph: 03 5762 2100 Fx: 03 5762 4478 Mobile: 0427 624 989
Email: bill.sykes@parliament.vic.gov.au