No excuse for bushfire report delay

Shadow emergency services minister Margaret Quirk says the WA Government is holding back on making public reports into the management of November’s Margaret River and Millyeannup bushfires.

Ms Quirk said there was no excuse for the delayed release of Noetic Solutions’ reports into the fires commissioned by the WA Government following recommendations by the Keelty report for a second investigation into how the blazes were managed by fire authorities.

“The Barnett Government received the report in June this year and claimed the draft had to go to the State Emergency Management Committee and then Cabinet before it could be made public,” she said.

“The SEMC met on July 3, July 12, August 7 and September 4.

“There has been ample time for the SEMC to consider the report and submission to Cabinet and there is simply no excuse for further delay.

“In this time the draft report could have been totally rewritten.”

Ms Quirk said this year’s firefighting efforts could be compromised by delaying the release of the reports, which had a “lessons learnt” component.

“It is unacceptable that this report will be released so close to the fire season as to make remedial efforts rushed or incomplete,” she said.