The Palaszczuk Labor Government has failed to fully action the Auditor-General’s 2015 report and recommendations to keep Queenslanders safe from bushfires.
LNP Shadow Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Lachlan Millar slammed Labor Minister Craig Crawford for failing Queenslanders by not taking the necessary basic precautions when it comes to protecting them from bushfires.
“Bushfires are terrifying and devastating events but most importantly we know that their impact can be mitigated and managed through responsible and proactive planning,” Mr Millar said.
“Unfortunately, what we have seen in the Auditor-General’s report into the Labor Government’s bushfire prevention and preparedness has been shameful and simply fails Queenslanders.
“I don’t understand why the Palaszczuk Labor Government has not taken the basic and necessary safety precautions to ensure the safety of Queenslanders.
“In 2014 the former LNP Government committed to implementing the agreed recommendations from the Auditor-General’s original report by 2015, but here we are in 2018 and we are yet to see any of the recommendations fully implemented*.
“The report quite clearly states that more work is needed to be done to ensure Queensland communities are not exposed to higher levels of risk than they need to be*.
“Of the seven sensible recommendations, which were fully accepted by the government, not one has been fully implemented and all seven remain partially implemented.
“Probably the most damning outcome of the report was the Palaszczuk Government’s oversight of the state’s bushfire risks.**
“I think a lot of Queenslanders will be quite rightly outraged at the Palaszczuk Labor Government for dropping the ball when it comes to ensuring their safety from bushfires.”
*’Follow-up of Bushfire prevention and preparedness (Report 5: 2018–19)’ Page 8: http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Documents/TableOffice/TabledPapers/2018/5618T1579.pdf
**’Follow-up of Bushfire prevention and preparedness (Report 5: 2018–19)’ Page 4: http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Documents/TableOffice/TabledPapers/2018/5618T1579.pdf
