Ms Catherine King (Ballarat, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Attorney-General. Will the Attorney-General update the House on what the government is doing to address the risk of bushfire arson across Australia?

Robert McClelland (Barton, Australian Labor Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Ballarat for her question and I congratulate her on the leadership that she has shown—and other members have shown as well—in respect to supporting the communities which have been so devastated by the Victorian fires. As the Prime Minister has indicated, the federal government will fully cooperate with and assist the deliberations of the royal commission in Victoria, which is commencing its public consultations today.

The disaster in Victoria has been described as Australia’s worst natural disaster, and certainly it is that in terms of the catastrophic loss of life and the extreme damage to property. But, regrettably, the description does not fit all of the fires because some of those fires, as we are now starting to learn, were deliberately lit. As incomprehensible as it is and as reprehensible as it is, as indicated by the attitude of all members in this House, regrettably it is the case. It has been estimated by the Australian Institute of Criminology that up to 50 per cent of fires in Australia are deliberately lit—at a cost of about $1.6 billion to the Australian economy. In that context it is necessary to have effective law enforcement measures, but it is also important to have effective prevention and deterrence measures in place. With that in mind I have established a national forum on the reduction of deliberate bushfires in Australia—the first of its kind.

Joe Hockey (North Sydney, Liberal Party, Shadow Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Hockey interjecting

Robert McClelland (Barton, Australian Labor Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It will be established and hold its first meeting on 24 March.

Joe Hockey (North Sydney, Liberal Party, Shadow Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Hockey interjecting

Robert McClelland (Barton, Australian Labor Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would have thought that members were interested in this very important issue to address the crucially important issue of arson—

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for North Sydney has been warned twice. The member for North Sydney will leave the chamber for one hour.

The member for North Sydney then left the chamber.

Robert McClelland (Barton, Australian Labor Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will inform my friend opposite of those who will be attending on 24 March. I have invited the Australian Institute of Criminology. I have invited the state and territory fire agencies. I have invited the Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre. I have invited the state and territory police agencies and also the Australasian Fire and Emergency Services Authorities Council.

The focus of this expert forum is going to be on: developing a consistent and robust criminal sanctions regime applicable around Australia; reducing access to fuels and materials; preventative education; identifying areas at risk; and promoting community safety initiatives. To answer a question raised earlier, yes, of course the details of this detailed advice and these deliberations will be provided to the Victorian royal commission but, more than that, it will also be referred to the Australia Emergency Management Committee, which will be meeting on the following week on 31 March. Consistent with the federal government’s response to a coordinated all-hazards approach to natural disasters, the Rudd government is determined to have the strongest possible approach on prevention, deterrence and penalties.

Fran Bailey (McEwen, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I ask the Attorney-General on a point of relevance: does this expert forum not include this parliament?

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! That is not a point of order.

Robert McClelland (Barton, Australian Labor Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In conclusion, I would like to indicate my appreciation to all state and territory agencies that are cooperating in this initiative. In the next two weeks we expect to see real progress in fighting this scourge of arson that so devastates our community.

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

Mr Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.