Premier Daniel Andrews calls for national response to bushfire disasters
Premier Daniel Andrews is campaigning for a national approach to bushfires, warning that the army may have to be called in every summer in coming years.
VIC News
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Premier Daniel Andrews has called for a national co-ordinated response to bushfire disasters, as a $14.4 million case support fund is made available to fire-affected Victorians.
Speaking from the Orbost Incident Control Centre today, Mr Andrews said a national approach to bushfires was the best way forward as such tragedies appear to become “the new normal”.
Mr Andrews this morning discussed the proposal with Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who has flagged support for a national Royal Commission into the bushfire disaster.
“As far as the national Royal Commission goes, the Prime Minister and I have discussed the fact that he will have further consultation with premiers from states affected by bushfires and it they may well focus on how we get a better nationally co-ordinated effort,” he said.
“I think we might have to be calling on the ADF (Australian Defence Force) more regularly if this is the new normal and we continue to see these sorts of significant fire events every few years.
“Just as we have all our Victorian emergency services working as one team, how do we fold the ADF and other federal bodies into that team, not as a special request, but as something that is there every summer.”
Mr Andrews today announced a $14.4 million Victorian Bushfires Case Support Program which will provide dedicated help to people in fire affected areas in Gippsland and North East Victoria.
The program will be a “one-stop shop” for financial counselling and mental health support.
It will also help fire-affected residents and business owners fill out paperwork, access grants and financial claims as well as navigate other support services.
Bushfire Recovery Chair Ken Lay said: “This is about helping to support the community recover and rebuild lives after what is a fairly difficult and challenging period.”
About 7000 financial hardship grants have already been issued statewide.
Currently there are about 1500 firefighters on the ground in Gippsland and northeast Victoria.
CFA deputy chief officer Stephanie Rotarngi said the next few days of back burning and consolidation work was critical for the season ahead.
“The next three to four days are absolutely crucial for us as we have some of our best conditions we have been in a number of weeks,” she said.
With the smoke cleared, supply drops are being made into isolated community.
Just two communities – Combienbar and Club Terrace – remain isolated, with authorities working hard to gain access.
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Lightning has been forecast for across the state from Wednesday onward, which could result in flash flooding to the region.
Mr Andrews said: “We are a long way from being out of this crisis” while paying tribute to firefighter, Bill Slade, who died in the line of duty in Omeo.
“He was much loved and an absolute mentor to many people. He will be missed,” he said.
He said Mr Slade’s death shows it is “still a very dangerous environment” and that work to clear hazardous trees from the roads was a priority.