Rene Hidding: Leader Sought to Champion Government’s New Approach to Reducing Bushfire Risk

The Liberal Government went to the election with a commitment to increase fuel reduction efforts to reduce bushfire risk, particularly major wildfire events.

Today’s announcement to advertise for expressions of interest for a new chair of the State Fire Management Council is a step in achieving that goal.

The Government is serious about doing all that we can to lower the risk and, importantly, the human and economic cost of bushfires.

Where the former Labor-Green Government failed to close the critical gap in our emergency preparedness, we will act.

The Liberal Government has a clear policy to implement a fuel reduction strategy and has made a substantial $28.5 million commitment over four years to achieve this.

We thank the previous chair, Stephen Geard, for his work, and look forward to the appointment of his successor, who will be charged with championing the roll out of this strategy.

It is the Government’s expectation that the work of the chair will help to build consensus around this new ‘fuel reduction first’ approach to reducing our statewide bushfire risk.

Experience from interstate tells us that it takes around three years to build up an expanded fuel reduction burning program, and I look forward to receiving the advice of the chair and council on how best to implement our policy.
Rene Hidding, Minister for Police and Emergency Management