With summer well and truly here, Gippsland East Nationals MP Tim Bull has blasted the State Government for leaving regional communities dangerously exposed to bushfire risk.
“CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan has warned of record fuel loads across public land, creating the potential for catastrophic fires,” he said.
Yet Labor’s response is to punish volunteers, gut resources and not complete the levels of fuel reduction burning required.
“Since 2023, we are down 5000 operational volunteers, many who have walked away and one of the reasons is the new Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund tax, which hits country people hardest,” Mr Bull said.
“The failures don’t stop there. Forest Fire Management Victoria has pulled 349 specialist firefighting vehicles from service due to safety defects, leaving Victoria to borrow trucks from interstate just to fill the gaps. The Minister won’t tell us when the vehicles will be back online.
“How can Labor claim we’re fire-ready when hundreds of critical vehicles are sidelined and there’s no publicised plan to replace them?”
Meanwhile, Victoria’s CFA fleet is the oldest in the nation, with ageing trucks increasing breakdown risks.
“Modern equipment is essential for safety, yet Labor has ignored this for years. The latest round of grants is too little to address this issue,” Mr Bull said.
Adding fuel to the fire, Labor has failed to meet the Bushfire Royal Commission’s
recommendation to treat five per cent of public land annually. The target hasn’t been met for over a decade, leaving record fuel loads and dry conditions – a perfect storm for disaster.
“We know what happens when Labor neglects land management. Communities pay the price,” Mr Bull said.
With thousands of tourists set to visit Gippsland over the school holidays, Mr Bull urged locals to update their fire plans but warned, preparedness starts with leadership.
“Labor can’t manage money and can’t manage its own budget, so it’s coming after yours through increased
taxes to pay for its reckless and irresponsible spending,” he said.
