One hundred days since the Bushfire Royal Commission released its final report, the Federal Government's response to the recommendations and Australia's worsening bushfire crisis remains disappointing, according to 33 former fire and emergency service chiefs from every state and territory.
"A hundred days after the Federal Government received the Royal Commission's recommendations, Australians are still waiting for the Government to show that it is taking the report seriously," said Greg Mullins, former Commissioner, Fire and Rescue NSW and founder of Emergency Leaders for Climate Action (ELCA).
"The Federal Government's 'accountability document' is welcomed, however its response shows that many recommendations are only supported "in principle" or have merely been "noted".
"Particularly worrying is the Federal Government's apparent rejection of a strong recommendation to develop a local aerial firefighting capability due to longer fire seasons worldwide reducing access to large aircraft at times that we need them most in Australia.
"The Federal Government must clarify whether it accepts all the recommendations it is responsible for, and commit to the urgent climate action that is needed to tackle the root cause of Australia's worsening extreme weather and bushfire crisis," said Mr Mullins.
Peter Dunn, former Commissioner of ACT Emergency Services Authority, added: "The Royal Commission's final report explained in detail how climate change fueled Australia's longest, most destructive fire season, but the government has all but ignored this critical advice.
"The science says that Australia must get to net zero emissions well before 2040, but the government still refuses to commit to a net zero target, which every state and territory has already done, along with countries that buy more than 70 per cent of Australia's fossil fuel exports.
"From the Black Summer fires that ravaged the east coast last year to the fires raging in the Perth Hills right now, bushfire survivors, emergency service workers and volunteers are living the consequences of accelerating climate change.
"ELCA will continue to ask critical questions about how the Federal Government proposes to improve bushfire response and work toward a safer climate," said Mr Dunn.
