Nationals Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, says a Parliamentary inquiry into Victoria’s 2025–26 bushfire season has confirmed years of Labor neglect left the CFA under-resourced and regional communities exposed.
The Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee’s report found declining CFA volunteer numbers, ageing firefighting vehicles, workforce shortages, inadequate fuel management and major delays in bushfire recovery.
The findings come after fires across Victoria burnt more than 440,000 hectares, destroyed 451 homes, more than 1,100 outbuildings and killed more than 45,000 livestock. In the Euroa electorate, the Longwood fire burnt more than 136,000 hectares and claimed one life, with many families still recovering seven months later.
Ms Cleeland said the report confirmed what local communities, CFA volunteers and her office had been raising with the Labor Government since the fires.
“This report confirms what our communities have known all along. Labor has failed to properly support the CFA and regional Victoria has paid the price,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Families are still living in temporary accommodation, communities are still waiting for clean-up works to be completed, and we’re already heading towards another fire season.”
“I’ve driven a 32-year-old CFA tanker from Gooram that was relied upon during this fire season. I’ve also heard from firefighters who warned that inadequate fuel reduction left communities like Strathbogie increasingly vulnerable. This wasn’t bad luck – it was the result of years of poor decisions.”
The inquiry found:
- CFA operational volunteer numbers have fallen by 26 per cent over the past decade.
- There are still 802 single-cab tankers in the CFA fleet, with full replacement not expected until 2036.
- Around 650 tankers continue to carry firefighters in exposed rear seating.
- Significant parts of the firefighting fleet are operating beyond their service life, with mechanical failures occurring during emergencies.
- The CFA continues to face shortages of experienced incident controllers and command staff.
- Roadside vegetation management remains inconsistent and lacks clear accountability, increasing fuel loads and hampering firefighting efforts.
- As of 1 May, only 28 of 241 eligible fire-affected properties had been fully cleaned up.
The report also revealed the CFA’s operational readiness before the fire season was assessed as “qualified”, with the Government refusing to disclose the details of those concerns to the Committee.
Ms Cleeland called on the Carroll Labor Government to respond immediately to the Committee’s 80 recommendations.
“A 26 per cent decline in CFA volunteers, ageing trucks and critical workforce shortages are the result of years of Labor neglect. Victorians deserve action before the next bushfire season, not more delays,” Ms Cleeland said.
“My community has lived through the consequences of these failures. The evidence is now undeniable, and the Labor Government must act before the next fire season.
“An elected Liberal and Nationals Government will properly fund the CFA, deliver a transparent tanker replacement program, back our volunteers and scrap Labor’s Emergency Services Tax in favour of a fairer funding model.”
