FIRES PROBE NEEDED: ALP

LABOR has called for an independent inquiry into this summer’s bushfires, saying that lessons must be learned for the future. Opposition Leader Rebecca White said the state must be better prepared.

THE State Government must hold an independent inquiry into this summer’s devastating bushfires, Opposition Leader Rebecca White says.

Bushfires, including dozens started by dry lightning in mid-January, burned through more than 200,000ha of bushland and destroyed six houses.

Hundreds of people were forced to evacuate from their homes due to the fire risk.

Ms White said now that the emergency fire situation has eased to the “Advice” or “No Alert Level”, it was time to see what could be learned.

She said the inquiry should look into the causes of the fires, all aspects of the emergency response, the transition from response to recovery and the preparation from all levels of government to deal with fires.

“I have been amazed by the strength of local communities, and the bravery and dedication of our firefighters,” Ms White said yesterday. “We are now calling on the Government to establish an independent inquiry to look at the causes, the response and what we can learn from these fires.

“Past inquiries in 2013 and 2016 identified practical solutions to problems that were identified.

“Many of these recommendations continue to be ignored by the Hodgman Government.

“We must make sure that we are better prepared.”

She said the inquiry could also examine staffing levels at the Parks and Wildlife Service and Sustainable Timber Tasmania.

Police, Fire and Emergency Management Minister Michael Ferguson said a review would be conducted once the fire season was over.

“The Government, without reservation, expresses its complete confidence in Tasmania Fire Service, Parks and Wildlife Service and the partner agencies who have combined their resources and their management to tackle these very aggressive bushfires,” he said.

“I think they’ve done a great job, in fact Tasmanians believe that they’ve done a great job.

“There are always lessons that can be learned and we want to learn those in the best way — for that to occur is through a robust review which we are committing to.”

The Huon Valley Residents and Ratepayers Association also called for an inquiry, particularly into the Riveaux Rd fire which threatened Geeveston.

“How did a small fire, that stayed that way for a few days, get so totally out of control,” asked association president Patrick Synge.