Editorial: Burning questions raised after Tathra inferno

AFTER the inferno comes the clean-up — and the questions. Questions such as, why had authorities not done more to warn people of the coming blaze or done something about the mobile black spots which left so many unable to receive text messages telling them to flee?

AFTER the inferno comes the clean-up — and the questions. Questions such as, why had authorities not done more to warn people of the coming blaze or done something about the mobile black spots which left so many unable to receive text messages telling them to flee? Why did the local ABC radio station only broadcast alerts every fifteen minutes instead of interrupting the footy for non-stop alerts?

Was there enough done to prevent the build-up of dangerous fuel loads in surrounding busload — or, as some are already speculating, did “greenie” environmental concerns put homes and lives at risk?

And perhaps most importantly, did a demarcation dispute between the Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue NSW wind up allowing a small fire at Reedy Swamp to grow out of control when it could have been contained, sparing the town?

The seaside town of Tathra has been devastated by a huge blaze. Picture: AFP Photo/David Porter

As The Daily Telegraph reports, internal Fire and Rescue NSW logs show that the Rural Fire Service knocked back offers to assist with the fire only to see the blaze grow out of control. For residents of the fire scarred town of Tathra on NSW’s far south coast, the answers about what happened cannot come soon enough. Because the tiny community, which has lost as many as 70 residences in fires that left dozens and dozens homeless with all their possessions literally up in smoke, needs to know.

Of course, whatever errors were made by the bureaucracy, the fireys who fought the flames on the front lines and went house to house to warn residents will remain the true heroes of this tale. As will the likes of 39-year-old Shannon Williams who evacuated his wife and two children but stayed behind with a garden hose and a chainsaw to put out spot fires and take down trees and successfully save his home and those of five neighbours.

Shannon Williams evacuated his wife and two kids as he stayed behind to fight the fire. He ended up saving six homes. Picture: Gary Ramage

At least 69 homes have been destroyed or damaged. Picture: Gary Ramage

Then of course there are many others — too many, in fact — who didn’t get word to leave in time and wound up seeing their own or their neighbours’ homes go up in flames as wind whipped the fire through local streets. One man saved his house putting out spot fires only to see his car lost to a flying ember which quickly engulfed it in flames. And in one merciful case, a local 94-year-old man not only survived the fires, but he managed to sleep through the entire ordeal. Meanwhile, the clean-up continues. And the urgent quest for answers begins.

Hugh Bowman rides again

AND she’s back — as is her jockey, Hugh Bowman. The racing world had a scare when 10 days ago champion jockey Bowman fell from Performer in the Todman Stakes and suffered concussion.

Jockey Hugh Bowman will jump back into the saddle after this scary fall on March 10. Picture: AAP Image/Daniel Munoz

With punters waiting to see if Winx will take her 24th consecutive win in the upcoming George Hill Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday, many are breathing a sigh of relief — not the least Bowman, who reportedly passed a variety of neurological and cognitive tests with “flying colours”. Having ridden Winx in her past 19 wins, he’s sure to want to be there for her next.

NSW retirees hit hard

BILL Shorten may have had a win in the inner Melbourne seat of Batman, but an essentially two-cornered contest with the Greens is hardly a testing ground for economic policy.

Which is why the latest numbers to come out of Labor’s plan to claw back franking credits from investors and retirees are so important: they again disprove Shorten’s claims that his policy will hit the “top end of town” and instead whack many ordinary Australians who had done what the government had told them to do — that is, invest and plan for their own retirement. According to the figures, NSW investors and retirees will be particularly in the frame.

Retirees will be hit hard. Picture: Supplied

As The Daily Telegraph reports today, more than half the impacted individuals in the state get by on a taxable income of less than $18,200.

All but 2.5 per cent have a taxable income of less than $87,000.

These are not fat cats living high off the largesse of taxpayer loopholes, these are ordinary mum and dad investors.

The ALP’s electoral fortunes should not take the heat off this bad policy.