No. 44

Bushfire Council funded to check 
Coronial implementation

The ACT Government has moved to ensure independent review on the progress of the implementation of the agreed 2003 Bushfire Coronial recommendations.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Simon Corbell today announced the Government would provide $152,000 in funding to the ACT Bushfire Council to monitor and report on the Government’s implementation of recommendations from the Coroner’s Report.

“As the Government has already stated it is committed to the continued improvement of emergency services in the ACT, including the ongoing implementation of the agreed recommendations,” Mr Corbell said.

“Recommendation 70 proposed the establishment of a taskforce to give effect to the recommendations of the report. The ACT Bushfire Council is the appropriate body to monitor and review the implementation of the agreed recommendations.

“The Government has asked the ACT Bushfire Council to undertake this important task and has allocated $152,000 in the Budget to the council to do this over the next two years.” 

Mr Corbell said the funding was part of $1.597 million worth of initiatives funded in this Budget for the implementation of the outstanding agreed Coronial recommendations.

“It is anticipated that the ACT Bushfire Council will report to Government regularly or as requested on the status of the agreed recommendations,” Mr Corbell said.

“For the ACT Bushfire Council to undertake this function, it is expected a sub-committee will be established and members reimbursed for additional sitting fees.