David Littleproud
December 6, 2019
An inquiry into past and current vegetation and land management policy, practice and legislation and their effect on the intensity and frequency of bushfires has begun in Canberra.
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment has launched the inquiry in response to a request by Natural Disaster Minister David Littleproud.
Committee chairman, LNP MP Ted O’Brien, said Australia was currently experiencing “a difficult, dangerous and potentially prolonged bushfire season”.
“The new inquiry provides an opportunity to better understand the practices relating to vegetation and land management, legislative frameworks, economic impact, mitigation strategies and the engagement of emergency services,” he said.
“The committee understands people will have very passionate views about this, particularly in light of the current bushfire season. We look forward to hearing all views and accessing all the evidence put before us.”
Matters to be considered include:
- Past and current practices of land and vegetation management;
- The impact of current legislation and regulatory responses for landholders;
- The scientific basis behind relevant bushfire management activities;
- Legislative capability at the local, State and Federal levels requiring landholders to reduce fire risk on properties;
- The economic impact of severe fires in urban, regional, rural and remote areas;
- The progress and implementation of various State reviews over the last decade; and
- The engagement of emergency services with land management officials in managing fire risk.
Submissions to the inquiry will be accepted until February 28.
The committee intends to hold public hearings at various locations, which will be announced on the inquiry website
Submissions must address the inquiry’s terms of reference, which are also available on the website.
