The Allan Labor Government deliberately kept hidden bushfire risk management reports, leaving regional communities to face Victoria’s fire seasons without knowing the real risk around them.
The reports spell out localised bushfire risk and fuel hazard levels – the very information farmers, families and communities need to prepare for a bushfire season and stay safe.
“It’s Appalling Labor knowingly withheld critical bushfire safety information, meaning regional Victorians went into fire seasons not knowing their bushfire risk was extreme,” Shadow Minister for Public Land Management Melina Bath said.
“Recent fire seasons have seen the tragic loss of human life, homes lost, and livestock lost. For a government to have not released the reports that may have lessened this devastation, is beyond comprehension.”
Ms Bath said the reports were kept hidden as they would have exposed the government’s bushfire unpreparedness.
“This is a government more interested in self‑protection than public safety. And it just demonstrates the little regard this city-focussed government has for regional Victoria.”
The cover-up occurred while hundreds of frontline firefighting vehicles were taken out of service, including faulty Unimogs and G‑Wagons, stripping firefighters of critical capability when fuel hazards were at their worst.
A recent motion, successfully passed through the Legislative Council by the Nationals and Liberals, will see these critical bushfire risk documents finally released.
“Victorians deserve the truth, not a government that hides fuel hazard warnings and leaves communities to face bushfires without knowing the risks around them.”
