Today the “Fuel Reduction Saves Lives” campaign calling for increased fuel reduction on public land was launched at State Parliament.
The Leader of the Nationals, Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Peter Walsh and Shadow Assistant Minister for Public Land Use, Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath and the Bush Users Group United (BUGU) launched the campaign.
The Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission recommended a target of five per cent preparatory burns to protect people and property. This recommendation has been recklessly ignored by the Andrews Labor Government, placing regional communities at risk.
There is serious ongoing concern over the lack of fuel reduction undertaken by Labor and its role in exacerbating bushfires which devastated large parts of regional Victoria this summer.
The Liberal Nationals are pleased to support this campaign being spearheaded by BUGU. BUGU is a group of everyday Australians who are avid recreational bush users concerned with public land management in Victoria. BUGU has over 15,000 members state wide.
Comments attributable to the Leader of the Nationals, Peter Walsh:
“Fuel reduction burns save lives, it’s that simple.
“Victorians deserve to be safe and more planned burns will increase community safety.
“Andrews must recommit to what the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission recommended, a five per cent planned burns target.”
Comments attributable to the Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath:
“The Andrews Labor Government needs to own up to the fact that when it comes to planned burns, it has dropped the ball.
“Failure to conduct adequate planned burns is putting communities at an unacceptable risk, it’s time for the five per cent target to be reintroduced.”