Tony Sheldon (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Emergency Management, Senator Watt. Minister, with fire activity this week throughout the Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales, there's evidence that the 2023-24 high-risk weather season is upon us. What is the Commonwealth doing to prepare Australia for the coming bushfire season, and for the future natural disasters we can expect to face?

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

Thank you, Senator Sheldon, and thank you again for your ongoing work as the government's Special Envoy for Disaster Recovery.

The bushfire seasonal outlook for spring, which was released by AFAC last month, is certainly starting to eventuate. We've seen increased fire activity across the Northern Territory, Queensland and parts of New South Wales over the past week, which serves as a reminder that the higher-risk weather season is now upon us. At the national level, we've made a number of changes since Black Summer—to be better prepared and to make sure that people are as safe as possible. There's now a new fire-danger-rating system to explain to people more clearly the level of risk that they face; we're investing more in mitigation and resilience than any government has ever done; and we have an extra-large water bomber plane, in addition to more large helicopters to do dumps of water.

We are working closely with the state and territory governments, and I know that they're increasing their fuel-reduction activity where it's safe to do so. Particularly for some of those in New South Wales, the smoke they're experiencing around Sydney from prescribed burns at the moment may bring back memories of the Black Summer fires so, given that today is R U OK? Day, I really want to encourage those who need help or someone to talk to as they're experiencing some pretty bad memories to reach out for assistance.

In two weeks time, the Albanese government will be hosting the first-ever National Bushfire Preparedness Summit here in Canberra, bringing together personnel from state and territory governments, emergency services, industry and not-for-profit organisations to share resources and practice national-level coordination and exercises. This is on top of the usual high-risk weather season planning, which involves a range of exercises and briefings across all states and territories and with key stakeholder groups, including media, First Nations groups and disability support organisations.

We have been planning for this coming season for months now, and we're committed to supporting the states and territories in their planning and preparedness for the months ahead.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Sheldon, a first supplementary question?

Tony Sheldon (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you for the update, Minister. It's clear that all Australians must prepare for a difficult natural disaster season. In last week alone, we've seen bushfires threaten communities in the Barkly region and I know that the Commonwealth has been working closely with the Northern Territory government to provide support in the response and immediate recovery. Can the minister please update the Senate on what exactly is being done to support the Northern Territory in their response to these bushfires?

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

Thanks, Senator Sheldon. I'll start by acknowledging the work of Senator McCarthy, the member for Lingiari and the member for Solomon in their strong interest and advocacy for their communities. They have been in regular contact with me and my office to ensure that their communities are supported through this time. I also acknowledge the interest and efforts of Senator Chisholm in working with that local community in his assistant minister role.

As members may be aware, a large fire of over 1.3 million hectares, is currently burning in the Barkly Tableland in the Northern Territory, east of Tennant Creek. The Territory government has issued an emergency situation, which grants the police, fire and emergency services to fight a fire and manage evacuations if the need arises. I understand that conditions are currently relatively stable, but we do need to keep an eye on them. Two strike teams from South Australia have arrived to assist, and we have deployed Australian Defence Force resources to support the protection of critical infrastructure and establish containment lines. We will keep working closely with the Northern Territory government on this.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Sheldon, second supplementary?

Tony Sheldon (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you for that update regarding the Northern Territory. Can the minister advise the Senate on any existing practices that have been proven to reduce the risks of bushfires?

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to 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.