Kevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

The honourable member has raised a serious matter concerning the bushfires. It is important that the House have this response. The letter from the Attorney-General says the following: ‘Thank you for your letter of 16 June to the Prime Minister raising your concerns for the upcoming bushfire season and outlining a range of suggested mitigation measures. The Prime Minister has referred your letter to me, as the Commonwealth bushfire mitigation activities fall within my portfolio.’ That is from the Attorney-General.

He then goes on to say, ‘In the 2009 federal budget I, the Attorney, announced funding of $110 million over four years for the Natural Disaster Resilience Program, the NDRP. This is a national program aimed at identifying and addressing disaster risk priorities.’ It then goes on to say, ‘The NDRP will consolidate the existing Bushfire Mitigation Program, the Natural Disaster Mitigation Program and the National Emergency Volunteer Support Fund. This will enable states and territories to more effectively prioritise and address the risks of a range of natural disasters and streamline the associated measures and responses. This initiative will commence from 1 July 2009.’

He goes on to say, ‘Given that the NDRP will be administered by the states and territories, who will prioritise the areas for funding within their jurisdictions, it is appropriate for the Dandenong Ranges Community Bushfire Group to contact the Minister for Police and Emergency Services’—

See this speech in context