Ex-Defence boss to head royal commission into bushfire tragedy
Australia’s devastating bushfire season was front and centre at federal parliament today, with the Prime Minister announcing a Royal Commission into the fires that have claimed more than 30 lives.
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A former Defence chief is Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s pick to head up a Royal Commission into the horror summer of bushfires.
Australia’s devastating bushfire season was front and centre of federal parliament today, the first sitting day of the year, where both houses dedicated the entire day to the tragedy which has claimed more than 30 lives.
Mr Morrison confirmed he will establish a Royal Commission into the 2019/20 bushfire crisis to be led by former Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin AC.
He told parliament he had written to the premiers and chief ministers seeking feedback on draft terms of reference for the royal commission.
Mr Morrison paid tribute to volunteer firefighters, particularly those who died battling blazes this summer, in a speech to parliament on a day reserved for condolence motions.
“This year we have faced and are still facing a terrible season of fires that reached our highest mountain range and our longest beaches,” he said.
“These fires are yet to end and danger is still before us, but today we come together to mourn, honour, reflect and begin to learn from the Black Summer that continues.”
Mr Morrison offered his condolences to the families of firefighters killed this summer, including two-year-old Charlotte O’Dwyer.
Her father, Andrew Dwyer, 36, was killed alongside his colleague Geoffrey Keaton, 32, at the Green Wattle Creek fire south west of Sydney
Mr Morrison said all nine of the firefighters that lost their lives would be posthumously awarded the National Emergency Medal.