Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett is calling for a Parliamentary Inquiry following the devastating bushfires across Queensland and the Deepwater areas.
Mr Bennett said the community deserves answers following two weeks of destruction and heartache.
“Concerns are being raised by many in the electorate about land management practices to manage fuel loads, how our national parks are managed and what landholders also want to do to protect their property and livestock,” he said.
“It’s absolutely vital we learn lessons from this disaster that has torn through our region.
“We can learn how to prevent this from happening again.
“The only way to learn is to study what happened and that is why the LNP is calling for an inquiry on this issue.
“We will be moving to establish a Parliamentary Inquiry in 2019 and we believe it should see bipartisan support.
LNP Shadow Minister for Fire, Emergency Services and Volunteers Lachlan Millar said the multi-party inquiry would involve public hearings and the opportunity to talk to affected landholders and communities in regional Queensland.
“This is an issue that should be above politics because it’s vitally important we get the policy settings right,” Mr Millar said.
“We know the number of burns by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services has dropped dramatically*.
“Getting bushfire management right can save lives and save communities.”
What the Inquiry should look at:
• Managing national parks
• Issuing of backburning permits to allow landholders to manage fuel loads
• *QON on fuel load management (https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2018/1460-2018.pdf)
• Penalties for those deliberately starting fires
• Communication of information to affected communities
• Implementation of Auditor-General’s recommendations (https://www.qao.qld.gov.au/reports-parliament/follow-bushfire-prevention-and-preparedness)
06.12.18