Ms BADGER question to PREMIER, Mr ROCKLIFF
We understand that there will be an external review into the summer’s fires that burnt over 100,000 hectares of precious Tasmanian landscapes.
Reviews have taken place after other significant bushfires and they have been public. It is imperative when evaluating emergency responses to draw on the vital knowledge of community members, walkers and botanists about the natural and cultural values of the impacted country.
Implementing key outstanding recommendations of past reviews is also crucial. The top recommendation of the 2016 bushfire Senate inquiry was to ensure that the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA) was on the World Heritage Committee’s annual state of conservation reporting cycle. It has recently dropped off.
As the Premier charged with overseeing the protection of the highest valued world heritage site on this planet, will you commit to requesting the new federal Environment minister re‑elects the TWWHA for the annual state of conservation reporting? Will you ensure the review of the 2025 fire event is independent, public and examines outstanding past recommendations so we can improve responses into the future?
Dr Woodruff – Good question. It is so important for Tasmania’s reputation as well.
The SPEAKER – To be fair, Ms Badger asked the question quite well on her own. Thank you, Leader of the Greens.
ANSWER
Honourable Speaker, I thank the member, Ms Badger, for the question and her interest in this matter. Can I say how thankful I am for all the various agencies that worked so hard to put out the fires – the SES, Tasmania Police, the Bureau of Meteorology, Sustainable Timber, Parks and Wildlife Service.
There was an army of volunteers – I will call it that – from interstate and New Zealand, as I understand it. I know minister Ellis had a very close view of these matters in assistance as a volunteer, which I commend and admire.
Can I say that, having had a briefing in Strahan with Parks and Wildlife at the time with Brendon Clark, from memory, who highlighted the huge, 100,000 hectares of damage, if I can call it that. There is a stronger word for it.
There were strong winds, high fire dangers and soaring temperatures that made fire conditions unpredictable and fast moving, threatening several townships. I was able to engage with a few of the people who were supporting the fires from interstate. They were on the Tullah Oval and packing up. On behalf of all Tasmanians I gave my thanks to them and many others. I have mentioned 100,000 hectares with a perimeter covering more than 1400 kilometres.
Ms BADGER – Point of order, standing order 45 on relevance. It is about what we are doing moving forward. I appreciate that the Premier is thanking personnel for the important work that was done.
The SPEAKER – The preamble covered the nature of the fire a little bit, so the Premier has some scope to address that, but I draw the Premier to the actual question.
Mr ROCKLIFF – Thank you. Notwithstanding the outstanding response, there are always learnings in these circumstances, and I have highlighted some of the complexity and the changing conditions and the like, which makes it difficult.
There will be a review undertaken. My understanding is the review will be public, as it should be, so people are aware of where we did really well and where improvements can be made.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION
Ms Badger – The Premier did not answer the other part of the question.
The SPEAKER – Are you asking a supplementary?
Mrs Badger – Yes.
The SPEAKER – The Premier has resumed his seat, so that is the mechanism you have.
Ms BADGER – A supplementary, Honourable Speaker. The Premier did not answer the other part of the question, which was collaborating with the new or re-elected federal Environment minister to ensure that the TWWHA goes back on the World Heritage Committee’s annual state of conservation reporting cycle.
Mr ROCKLIFF – I thank the honourable member for the supplementary question. You use the terminology collaboration, and there was great collaboration between federal and state government. I was keeping in touch with and communicating with the Prime Minister, and I thanked him publicly for their co-investment in these matters. Minister Ellis was engaging with minister Jenny McAllister on these matters as well, and I would expect nothing more than collaboration on this matter moving forward, whether it be the SES, the Prime Minister and Premier, or Environment. I can provide more detail on how that might look and look forward to providing that information.
The SPEAKER – Member for Lyons. The Premier has concluded his answer. Premier, I was not sure if you were providing more detail generally or to parliament on that.
Mr ROCKLIFF – I am happy to work with Ms Badger on further advice.
Ms Badger – Sure.
The SPEAKER – I am sure the member will have an opportunity to ask another question if she needs to another time.
