WOOROLOO BUSHFIRE — REVIEW
584. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Emergency Services:
I refer to the media statement
issued on 20 August titled ''Submissions open for inquiry into Wooroloo
Bushfire''.
(1) Why is the
state government not conducting a special inquiry under the Public Sector
Management Act, as was the case in several previous inquiries into significant
bushfire events?
(2) What is the expected cost of
this inquiry?
(3) What is the expected reporting
date for this inquiry?
(4) Please table
any advice received by the minister in relation to the establishment of an
independent inquiry.
Hon SUE
ELLERY replied:
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) The state government has commissioned the
Australasian Fire and Emergency Services Authorities Council, or AFAC,
which recently conducted an independent review into the Tasmanian bushfires, to
lead the independent inquiry into the Wooroloo bushfire. The state government's
focus is on seeing what lessons can be
learnt from this bushfire and AFAC's expertise has been chosen to
deliver this. The panel appointed to lead the independent review has
extensive operational and subject matter expertise. It will consider whether
any improvements should be made.
(2) The cost of the inquiry is currently being
finalised, but is expected to be $30 000 to $35 000, GST included.
(3) The expected reporting date is
30 October 2021.
(4) I ask the member to place this
question on notice.