Bryan Green: Liberal fuel reduction policy a sham

Documents obtained under Right To Information show that the Liberals fuel reduction policy will deliver no net benefit to the state.

The briefing note from the Tasmanian Fire Service to the incoming Liberal Government reveal bush burning targets of 60,000 hectares on public land can be achieved but with “no benefit to community safety”.

The briefing states: “Burning public land will not protect Tasmanian communities. Approximately 20 per cent of the urban interface is with public land, the remainder is with private.”

Labor Leader Bryan Green said it was clear that the Liberals’ policy hadn’t been thought through.

“It shows that the Liberals are happy to throw around thought bubbles when in campaign mode but they can’t deliver meaningful policies in Government,” Mr Green said.

“They can achieve the 60,000 hectare target but with no net benefit for the community and indeed could harm communities via smoke impacts.

“The document also warns the Government that an expansion of existing burning programs can’t be achieved within existing budgets.

“We have seen in Tasmania the threat of fire and the government must make fixing its policy a priority.”
Bryan Green MP Labor Leader