Queenslanders can have their say on the effectiveness of land management policy and the frequency of bushfires, as part of a Federal Government review.
Liberal National Party Shadow Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Lachlan Millar welcomed the inquiry as an opportunity for Queenslanders to have their say.
“The LNP tried to establish a State Parliamentary Inquiry on behalf of Queenslanders who have suffered the impacts of two intense fire seasons,” Mr Millar said.
“Predictably, the Palaszczuk Labor Government refused to back this inquiry, continuing their culture of secrecy and cover-up.“Every community that I visit that has suffered the scourge of bushfires has a lot of unanswered questions – questions that Labor refuse to answer.“Stories of mismanaged state-controlled land and issues with getting approvals for hazard reduction burns are frequently raised.
“Queenslanders deserve to know why Annastacia Palaszczuk has overseen an 83 per cent reduction in overall fire prevention activities*.
“Queenslanders deserve to know why this Labor Government has slashed funding for the Rural Fire Service by $13 million**.”
“Our firies do an incredible job protecting the public and property, but they’re being let down by a Labor government that is failing to ensure they’re being backed up by suitable fire preparedness and land management practices.
“It is outrageous that it takes the Federal Coalition to undertake an inquiry into an area of responsibility that the State Labor Government should be managing, but Queenslanders will take any opportunity they can for the truth to come out”.Federal Inquiry: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House/Environment_and_Energy/Vegetation_management*
IGEM 2018 Queensland Bushfires Review p74 (graphic): https://www.igem.qld.gov.au/reports-and-publications/reports/Documents/IGEM%20Queensland%20Bushfire%20REVIEW%202019.pdf
** https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2019/1488-2019.pdf