Fuel reduction an important tool

Tasmanian Labor
  • No room for complacency
  • Labor supports government investment in fuel reduction
  • Fire review recommendations must be implemented
  • Tasmania has come through this summer relatively unscathed by bushfire, but there is no room for complacency.

    Labor Leader Rebecca White said bushfire risk in Tasmania is increasing and attention must be given to every option to reduce that risk.

    “Tasmania has experienced a series of devastating fire seasons over the past decade and we must recognise that with a drying climate, the nature of bushfires has changed.

    “We’ve watched a horror fire season unfold across the country this summer and we need to accept that Tasmania can’t rely on calling for support from other states.

    “We need to use all the tools available to us to ensure our state is as prepared as possible to prevent and fight bushfires.”

    Ms White said that’s why Labor supports the government’s continued investment in fuel reduction burns along with the Liberal Government’s acknowledgement that it is becoming too difficult for many private land owners to undertake cool burns.

    “Firefighters, farmers and Aboriginal Australians recognise the value of fuel reduction burns as a tool to reduce fire risk and reduce the severity of fires when they do occur.

    “While a fuel reduction program will not prevent every fire, reducing fuel load is an important part of risk management, particularly to protect key assets and communities.

    “The Government must also ensure it pays attention to the carefully considered recommendations of multiple reviews of bushfires in Tasmania and take action to implement them.”

    Rebecca White MP

    Tasmanian Labor Leader

    /Public Release. View in full here.