The Member for Burnett has slammed the State Labor Government for rejecting offers to waterbomb Fraser Island (K’gari) days into the devastating bushfire that destroyed 87,000 hectares.
Burnett MP Stephen Bennett said instead of saving the world heritage-listed island, the Palaszczuk Government chose to save some money.
Internal emails, obtained by the ABC under Right to Information, revealed two weeks after waterbombing efforts began on Fraser Island, another senior Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) bureaucrat wrote “we are probably burning more $$$ than anything else.”
“It was all about the money and not about saving the island, its environment and its wildlife,” Mr Bennett said.
“I called for the $15 million water bombing aircraft sitting idle on the runway in Bundaberg to be deployed from day one, but it took days before Queensland Labor decided to finally take the destruction of Fraser Island seriously.
“There is a common theme between the horrific fires of 2018, 2019 and 2020, they were all bungled due to red tape, lack of funding and petty politics.
“A bushfire will not wait for governments to decide on which department will pay for what and whether it’s the ‘right political move’ to conduct cool burns.
“A bushfire destroys everything in its path, taking livelihoods, sites of environmental and cultural significance and lives with it.
“The State Labor Government should be doing everything possible to prevent and stop them.
“Somebody needs to be held accountable for the absolute mess and devastation that was the 2020 Fraser Island bushfire.
“We were lied to; the least we deserve it an apology from the local members and the Minister.
“Queenslanders are sick and tired of the constant coverups and deceit.
“Queensland cannot afford to see another bushfire of this magnitude.
“I’m calling on the Minister for Fire and Emergency Services to implement the recommendations of the Inspector General of Emergency Management’s (IGEM) report immediately.
“It’s time for the State Labor Government to recognise the importance of planning, hazard reduction, inter-agency communication, clear lines of responsibility and better utilisation of the skills and knowledge of Traditional Owners.
“When it comes to implementing the recommendations, it needs to be done in a timely manner, and rest assured, the opposition will be holding the government to account to ensure this happens.”
ENDS.
23/08/2021