Government acting on Black Saturday report
Government acting on Black Saturday report
25 October 2010
published by www.abc.net.au
Australia — The Federal Government says it is acting on many of the recommendations made by the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission.
The Commission’s final report into last year’s devastating Black Saturday bushfires was released in July.
Federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland says the Government supports the five recommendations directed at the Commonwealth.
Mr McClelland says the Government has started a national forum on bushfire arson and is developing a national bushfire awareness campaign and a centre for bushfire research.
He says establishing the research centre will require an ongoing commitment from the Commonwealth and the states.
“The Australian Emergency Management Institute, within my portfolio, could play a key role in this regard,” he said.
“An integral part of the institute’s current role is the delivery of strategic research for the emergency management sector on a range of all-hazards issues.
“As such, the institute is well placed to work with jurisdictions toward a national disaster resilience centre of excellence.”
Mr McClelland also told Parliament he supports calls for amendments to environment protection legislation so bushfire prevention measures can be carried out.
“The Commonwealth supports the intent of this recommendation and is working to ensure that adequate guidance is available on the application of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 in respect to these matters, and specifically in respect to bushfire prevention and management activities, such as roadside clearing,” he said.
