Milligan welcomes support for Assembly motion that will ensure ACT is better prepared for bushfire season

Shadow Minister for Emergency Services James Milligan has welcomed support for his motion in the Legislative Assembly today that will ensure Canberra is better prepared for the upcoming bushfire season.

All members of Labor and the Greens agreed to Mr Milligan’s motion that called on the ACT Government to fully commit to reinstating the Namadgi National Park fire trail network, returning the network to its pre-Orroral Valley Fire 2020 accessibility status.

“It is disappointing that the Emergency Services Minister has continually overstated the preparedness of the ACT for the upcoming bushfire season when that is not the case, but I am pleased to see all members of the Assembly agree to my motion today,” Mr Milligan said.

“Despite the rhetoric and spin from the Minister that we are well prepared it is clear that critical fire trails remain either closed, not fully accessible to Rural Fire Service appliances such as large flow tracks and not maintained to the required standards.

“It is imperative that the ACT is well prepared for the threat of bushfires and Canberrans deserve and expect a government that will provide a safe environment for them and ensure everything is being done to make sure the devastation of the 2003 and 2019-20 fires does not happen again.

“The Canberra Liberals will continue to ensure the ACT is well prepared for the threat of bushfires and that the concerns of the community and those within the emergency services are addressed,” Mr Milligan concluded.

The motion also called on the ACT government to report to the Assembly on a quarterly basis, progress on the implementation of these fire trail repair works as per ACT Bushire Management Standards which was amended to biannually.