Kevin Andrews (Menzies, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Be fire ready now. That's the important message to all Victorians and indeed all Australians, and I say that especially to my constituents in the suburbs of Warrandyte, Eltham, Research, Kangaroo Ground and surrounding areas. Be fire ready now. We are facing a very hot summer. Experts tell us it could be the most dangerous season in Victoria for a long period of time. For those suburbs that I mentioned, where bushfires have afflicted them in the past, it's important that residents be ready to do what they can to ensure that there are no fires affecting them or their property. And they should put in place, I suggest, their safety checklist and, most importantly, talk to their household about what they will do if there is a fire danger.

The decision of when to leave is the most important decision that anybody can make, that any household can make, in relation to a fire. Please talk about it—with family, with friends, with neighbours—so that you've got in place a decision-making process should a fire come along. And then there are the ordinary things like keeping the grass short, getting rid of dry grass, pruning shrubs, making sure there are no overhanging trees, ensuring that gutters and roof areas are clear and of course removing excess material around the home. Be fire ready now—an important message for all Australians at this time of year.