John Brumby backs proposed federal royal commission into bushfires crisis
He called a royal commission following the Black Friday tragedy in 2009 which sparked great change, and now, former Victorian premier John Brumby is supporting a federal probe into the current bushfire crisis.
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Former Victorian premier John Brumby has backed a federal royal commission into bushfires, saying it would help the nation prepare against future threats.
Mr Brumby, who was premier during Black Saturday in 2009, said a state-based royal commission he called after that tragedy had shifted the way Victoria responded to threats.
This included a critical change from the “stay or go” message that had been broadcast to people in high-risk areas, to a new message of “leave and live”.
The support for a broad national inquiry puts the former leader at odds with Premier Daniel Andrews, who has questioned the need for such a probe.
The issue has also divided the fire services, with United Firefighters Union boss Peter Marshall vehemently opposed to a royal commission but volunteers supporting its establishment.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said he would take a proposal for a national inquiry into the bushfires to Cabinet.
Friday, Mr Morrison attended the funeral of volunteer firefighter Sam McPaul in NSW and then held a Bushfire Relief and Recovery Efforts Peak Body Roundtable with community leaders and specialists.
“The immediate response from the Commonwealth has focused very much on what is needed in the direct aftermath and the response that’s been needed on the ground, the clean-up, the work you have done with the charities, the important and very vital work that is being done in mental health,” Mr Morrison said.
“It isn’t just the scarred bushland that we’ve seen around the country, but there are some very deep scars, emotional scars, trauma scars that have gone into these communities.”
Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan yesterday also announced $8 million federal funding for 25 more Beyond Blue liaison officers to work with schools and early childhood services in bushfire-affected communities.
Thousands of homes have been destroyed during mega-blazes throughout the east coast of Australia this summer, and more than 20 people have died.
Mr Brumby told Radio National that the operational response to bushfires should be a matter for the states but told ABC Radio there was scope for a comprehensive federal review.
“I think it is important to look at the role of the federal government, particularly defence, and I think it is important to look at the issue of climate change,” he said.
“When you look at the issue of climate change it’s a question of doing more on the prevention side, what Australia can do to dramatically drag down emissions, but also what we can do in terms of adaptation and mitigation and response.”
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Black Saturday, in 2009, was one of the country’s worst natural disasters and caused 173 deaths.
The head of the 2009 royal commission, Bernard Teague, recently said that a royal commission would need to have broad terms of reference that had input from states.