On the back of feedback from various volunteers who attended the devastating Wooroloo fire, the association published this statement calling on the government to commit to an open, independent and inclusive review of its management.
We also wrote the following self-explanatory letter to the Premier:
Dear Premier,
REQUEST FOR AN URGENT INDEPENDENT INQUIRY INTO THE MANAGEMENT OF THE WOOROLOO BUSH FIRE
The Association of Volunteer Bush Fire Brigades (AVBFB) hereby asks you as Premier to urgently announce an independent inquiry into all aspects of the management of the recent Wooroloo Bush Fire.
While we accept this request may be not be entirely welcome at this particular time, our intent is entirely apolitical and based purely on our desire to ensure the experiences of those who responded are captured and adequately explored for insights to improve future outcomes for our members and the wider community.
We humbly argue that in order to achieve maximum credibility among all stakeholders, the review must be undertaken completely independent of government agencies and include a thorough and transparent public submission and/or hearing period.
As always, the association is more than willing to co-operate with you and your office in the best interests of the community and sincerely hope to discuss how we can help you announce and deliver an inquiry with the above criteria as soon as possible.
Yours sincerely,
Unfortunately a reply from the Acting Director General of the Department of Premier and Cabinet on behalf of the Premier said because the Government is currently in ‘caretaker’ mode, it cannot commit to anything that “would bind an incoming government or limit its freedom of action“.
Several days later, the Minister for Racing and Gaming Paul Papalia committed the Government to an independent inquiry into the Casino, the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and the Gaming and Wagering Commission.
