Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

I know that Senator Sterle and the President are both interested in this because WA, of course, experienced bad bushfires again last year. I've recently been briefed by the Bureau of Meteorology about what they are forecasting for the upcoming high-risk weather season, and members of parliament and senators were invited to a similar briefing this week as well. It's true that, while there is a very high chance of a third La Nina this summer bringing more rain and flooding to the east coast states—and we need to be ready for that—in addition, in Central and Western Australia communities are facing increased chances of bushfire.

That's why last week I met with the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council, or AFAC, who coordinate the National Aerial Firefighting Centre, and they have assured me that the resources available to them are appropriate for this season and that preparedness activities are on schedule. That may well include the redeployment of some aerial firefighting units to the west. Also last week the new Australian fire danger rating system was launched. This is a once-in-a-generation change to how the sector forecasts and warns about fire danger. Unlike our predecessors, the Albanese government is looking over the horizon and ensuring we're better prepared.