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

In addition to using the latest technology to fight fires, Australia's fire services are increasingly listening to the traditional burning practices of our First People to help with preparedness. Yesterday I joined ACT Minister Mick Gentleman along with Parks and Conservation, RFS and Caring for Country staff, and I was very pleased to meet Ngunnawal traditional custodian Brad Bell and his family and learn more about the role that Indigenous knowledge and cultural burning is playing in our fire preparation seasons. Cold burning is increasingly being used to prepare land for bushfires and reduce the fuel load which could burn if a fire came through. Brad was passionate about the joy that he and his family get from being able to share some of the knowledge that their ancestors have had for thousands of years and that we as communities can learn about and apply in order to better prepare ourselves for fire seasons. Brad spoke about reducing water use by applying Indigenous techniques like cultural burning as well as the benefits to land management. It's a practical example of what we get when we listen to our Indigenous people to deliver better results.