Following the Government’s announcement of a National Royal Commission into the ‘black summer’ bushfires, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment and Energy will not proceed further with its parliamentary inquiry into land management relating to bushfires.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 26 February 2020

Following the Government’s announcement of a National Royal Commission into the ‘black summer’ bushfires, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment and Energy will not proceed further with its parliamentary inquiry into land management relating to bushfires. Chair of the Committee, Mr Ted O’Brien MP, said that ‘the Royal Commission will be a major national exercise, and its key areas of inquiry include the core matter before this Committee: vegetation and land management and its impact on the intensity and frequency of bushfires. ‘The Committee has therefore decided to wind up our inquiry, in order to make way for the Royal Commission. This will avoid any confusion and prevent duplication of resources and demand.’ Mr O’Brien expressed the Committee’s thanks to those who have contributed to its inquiry. ‘The evidence the Committee has published during the three months of its inquiry will be made available to the Royal Commission. We hope that it will be a useful contribution to the Commission’s consideration of the vegetation and land management issues relating to bushfires’, Mr O’Brien said. ‘Going forward, the Committee encourages bushfire-affected organisations, individuals and communities to engage with the Royal Commission. ‘We wish the Commission every success with its important work.’ The Committee will cease accepting submissions to the inquiry after today, 26 February 2020. Submissions and public hearing transcripts from the inquiry will remain published on the inquiry website. The Committee’s inquiry was adopted in December 2019 on referral from the Minister for Natural Disaster and Emergency Management, the Hon David Littleproud MP. The Committee will present a brief formal report to the House of Representatives, to conclude the inquiry. Media enquiries: Mr Ted O’Brien MP (Fairfax, QLD), Committee Chair Media Advisor, 0401 257 064 For background information: House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment and Energy (02) 6277 4580 environment.reps@aph.gov.au

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment and Energy is commencing public hearings for its inquiry into vegetation and land management relating to bushfires.

Media release issue date: Tuesday, 11 February 2020

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment and Energy is commencing public hearings for its inquiry into vegetation and land management relating to bushfires. Its first hearing will be held in Canberra on Wednesday 12 February 2020 with representatives from CSIRO, to discuss the science and research behind bushfire behaviour, and activities such as hazard reduction burning, clearing and land rehabilitation. The Committee continues to welcome public submissions to the inquiry, due by 31 March 2020. Public hearing details Date: Wednesday, 12 February 2020 Time: 10:15am to 11:00am Location: Committee Room 2R2, Parliament House, Canberra The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live. The Committee intends to hold public hearings at various locations, which will be announced in due course on the inquiry website. Further information about the inquiry can also be found on the website. Media inquiries Mr Ted O’Brien MP (Fairfax, Qld), Committee Chair Media Advisor: 0401 257 064 For background information House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment and Energy (02) 6277 4580 environment.reps@aph.gov.au

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment has extended the submission deadline for its inquiry into the intensity and frequency of bushfires. Submissions are now invited by 31 March 2020.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 22 January 2020

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment has extended the submission deadline for its inquiry into the intensity and frequency of bushfires. Submissions are now invited by 31 March 2020. Chair of the Committee, Mr Ted O’Brien MP, said that ‘as the threat and reality of the fires continue for many communities across Australia, the Committee recognises that bushfire affected organisations and individuals need to direct resources to the immediate tasks of response and recovery’.  ‘We extend our sympathies to fellow Australians who have been impacted by this season’s devastating fires, and our gratitude to those working tirelessly to control them’. ‘Once the current bushfire situation has eased, the Committee looks forward to receiving a range of considered evidence to inform its inquiry. We want to develop recommendations that can assist in ensuring that Australia takes the best possible approach to preventing such terrible events in future and being better equipped to manage them’, Mr O’Brien said. The Committee’s inquiry was adopted in December 2019 on referral from the Minister for Natural Disaster and Emergency Management, the Hon David Littleproud MP. The inquiry’s terms of reference relate to the efficacy of past and current vegetation and land management policy, practice and legislation and their effect on the intensity and frequency of bushfires and subsequent risk to property, life and the environment. If you would like to contribute to the inquiry, you can make a submission. Submissions will be accepted until 31 March 2020. The Committee intends to hold public hearings at various locations, which will be announced in due course on the inquiry website.              Submissions must address the inquiry’s terms of reference, which are available along with details on how to make a submission on the inquiry website. Media enquiries: Mr Ted O’Brien MP (Fairfax, QLD), Committee Chair Media Advisor, 0401 257 064 For background information:  House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment and Energy (02) 6277 4580 environment.reps@aph.gov.au

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment has commenced an inquiry into the efficacy of past and current vegetation and land management policy, practice and legislation and their effect on the intensity and frequency of bushfires and subsequent risk to property, life and the environment.

Media release issue date: Friday, 6 December 2019

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment has commenced an inquiry into the efficacy of past and current vegetation and land management policy, practice and legislation and their effect on the intensity and frequency of bushfires and subsequent risk to property, life and the environment. On launching the inquiry, Chair of the Committee, Mr Ted O’Brien MP, said that ‘many communities across Australia had experienced or were still in the grip of a bushfire crisis’. ‘We are currently experiencing a difficult, dangerous and potentially prolonged bushfire season’, he said. ‘We feel for our fellow Australians both impacted by, and trying to control, these devastating fires. ‘The new inquiry provides an opportunity to better understand the practices relating to vegetation and land management, legislative frameworks, economic impact, mitigation strategies and the engagement of emergency services. ‘The Committee understands people will have very passionate views about this, particularly in light of the current bushfire season. We look forward to hearing all views and accessing all the evidence put before us.’ The Committee’s inquiry is in response to Minister for Natural Disaster and Emergency Management David Littleproud. It will have particular regard to matters including: past and current practices of land and vegetation management; the impact of current legislation and regulatory responses for landholders; the scientific basis behind relevant bushfire management activities; legislative capability at the local, state and federal levels requiring landholders to reduce fire risk on properties; the economic impact of severe fires in urban, regional, rural and remote areas; the progress and implementation of various state reviews over the last decade; and the engagement of emergency services with land management officials in managing fire risk. If you would like to contribute to the inquiry, you can make a submission. Submissions to the inquiry will be accepted until 28 February 2020. The Committee intends to hold public hearings at various locations, which will be announced in due course on the inquiry website. Submissions must address the inquiry’s terms of reference, which are available along with details on how to make a submission on the inquiry website. Media enquiries: Mr Ted O’Brien MP (Fairfax, QLD), Committee Chair Media Advisor, 0401 257 064 For background information: House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment and Energy (02) 6277 4580 environment.reps@aph.gov.au