NSW bushfire inquiry should be public, says cabinet minister
A NSW cabinet minister has called for transparency around the state government’s bushfire inquiry, saying it should not be conducted behind closed doors. Her remarks come as the RFS announced a state memorial would be held this month.
NSW
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A NSW cabinet minister has called for transparency around the state government’s bushfire inquiry, saying it should not be conducted behind closed doors.
Local government minister Shelley Hancock made the extraordinary comments during an interview on ABC radio this morning.
Asked about her thoughts on the inquiry taking place behind closed doors, Ms Hancock said: “It shouldn’t be. I think inquiries like this are important and they’re important ways for communities to express their concern.”
Labor seized on the remarks, saying Ms Hancock was backing the opposition’s call to hold public hearings which Premier Gladys Berejiklian has specifically ruled out.
Ms Hancock’s office declined to comment when The Daily Telegraph sent sought clarification.
Ms Berejiklian announced a six-month independent inquiry into the deadly blazes last week but confirmed no public hearings will be held.
She said the reason for this was to allow enough time for the government to adopt any recommendations that emerge from the inquiry ahead of the next bushfire season.
However, submissions from the community will be accepted and the heads of the inquiry will travel to communities that have been impacted by the fires.
Ms Hancock, who is the member for the south coast, restated her position in Question Time following questions from Labor while Ms Berejiklian urged the opposition not to “take words out of context”.
Ms Hancock told the ABC the bushfire inquiry should not be behind closed doors unless there are baseless allegations allegations being made.
“That’s not fair … but if there were issues and problems that arose we need to get to the bottom of them.”
“I don’t think it should be behind closed doors … we will be talking about that as cabinet ministers,” she added.
Ms Hancock later praised the leadership of Ms Berejiklian during a condolence motion in state parliament, saying the Premier had been “everywhere” during the fire crisis.
Labor leader Jodi McKay thanked Ms Hancock for her “bravery” in speaking out and urged the Minister to “stick to your guns”.
“(She) has today backed Labor’s calls for an inquiry in regional areas that is public and not behind closed doors,” Ms McKay said.
“Yesterday we asked two questions of John Barilaro … in regard to him supporting a public inquiry in areas that were impacted by fire.”
“He refused to do that but today Shelley Hancock has indicated on behalf of her community she believes these communities should not be behind closed doors.”
A State Memorial will be held on Sunday 23 February at Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Olympic Park.
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) February 5, 2020
This Memorial is an opportunity for everyone to recognise the lives that have tragically been lost and show support for those who have been affected by the fires in NSW.#NSWRFS pic.twitter.com/g7wCRkbydD
Ms McKay said it was critical that bushfire victims are given the right to tell their stories.
“If you hold an inquiry and someone doesn’t want to turn up then so be it but give them an opportunity to turn up … don’t shut this down just because it’s convenient for the government.”
Ms Hancock’s remarks come as the NSW Rural Fire Service announced a state memorial would be held for the victims of the deadly bushfires.
In a tweet, the RFS said the memorial is an “opportunity for everyone to recognise the lives that have been tragically been lost” while also showing support for those affected by the fires.
The memorial will be held at Qudos Bank Arena on February 23 and is open to the public.