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Royal Commission open for business – have your say

The Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements has begun receiving public submissions. Individuals, organisations, community groups and the broader community can make a submission about the 2019-20 bushfire season by telephone or online. Source: Timberbiz

The Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said this was a chance for Gippslanders to tell their story and have a say.

“There are many people throughout Gippsland with extensive knowledge and experience of managing the land to share,” Mr Chester said. “We need to make sure those experienced local voices are heard at this royal commission.

“Gippslanders want to see us do more in terms of hazard reduction. We need more boots and less suits to drive bushfire prevention, infrastructure upgrades and better management of our natural assets to keep our communities safe.

“The ADF played a critical role during the bushfire crisis and the recovery phase. I hope the royal commission will clarify how the ADF can be deployed to provide critical support in a crisis, so there is no question about its role and how it is activated.

“Two of the lessons that we’ve learned over these past few months is the importance of maintaining reliable mobile communications and safe transport corridors during both the response and recovery phases of natural disasters.”

The Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements will look at:

  • improving natural disaster management coordination across all levels of government;
  • improving Australia’s preparedness, resilience, and response to natural disasters, across all levels of government; and
  • The legal framework for the Commonwealth’s involvement in responding to national emergencies and how that works with state and territory legal frameworks.

Submissions can now be made by calling 1800 909 826 from Monday to Friday between 8.30am to 5.30pm or visiting www.naturaldisaster.royalcommission.gov.au

Submissions close on April 3, 2020.

The Bushfire Royal Commission will begin holding formal hearings from April. More information about the hearings will be announced later this month.

The royal commission is also taking expressions of interest to attend community forums this month during which commissioners will meet with small groups representative of fire-affected communities.

For more information, visit https://naturaldisaster.royalcommission.gov.au/ or email [email protected]