Kristy McBain (Eden-Monaro, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today marks the start of the bushfire season across eastern parts of the mighty Eden-Monaro. The communities I serve are also digesting the interim report from the bushfire royal commission. I am pleased that commissioners have echoed the harsh realities communities from Batlow to Kiah to Rockton to Braidwood all experienced on those days choked by smoke and fear. The interim report highlights more frequent and intense natural disasters due to climate change.

I implore the government to not just watch but act. The lack of national coordination that was evident last season was simply cruel. The recommendations from 20 years of natural disaster inquiries have been lost, and Eden-Monaro can't tolerate that again. For starters, the simplifying Australia's confusing bushfire warning system needs to be finished. The confusion and mismatched technology many experienced need to be addressed. Information brings power and comfort. Right now my communities are in the midst of a fragmented recovery effort. We need to make that trauma count and to flip the experience in the future. I thank the commissioners for their work to date and the residents of Eden-Monaro, who have made their voices heard in this process. I stand with you. While recent rain has been welcome, it shouldn't slow the progress of what needs to be done into the future.