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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 1 Hansard (19 February) . . Page.. 174 ..

MR SMYTH (continuing):

(2) The inquiry process

The process should take the following steps:

(a) call for submissions on the Canberra bushfires;

(b) require submissions from key stakeholders;

(c) collate and analyse available sources for insights into bushfire management;

(d) gather, and analyse, the facts of the Canberra bushfires;

(e) prepare an interim report on the facts and insights as a basis for the inquiry;

(f) frame and present specific questions of fact and interpretation to stakeholders (agencies and individuals) in writing for written response as necessary;

(g) frame and present follow-up questions of fact and interpretation based on analysis of responses to step 3;

(h) conduct public hearings and cross-examination of interested parties and stakeholders including, but not restricted to, the key agencies and organisations;

(i) prepare a draft concept, framework and process to implement sustainable fire management; and

(j) take submissions on the draft and finalise the concept and framework document for delivery to the ACT Government.

(3) Time frames for the inquiry

(a) inquiry to present interim report by 30 April 2003 to provide appropriate recommendations to be included in the rebuilding of bushfire affected areas;

(b) a second interim report to be presented by 31 July 2003 with recommendations for appropriate actions to be taken before the commencement of the 2003-04 bushfire season; and

(c) final report to be presented by 30 June 2004.

Mr Speaker, this motion gives effect to what the opposition and many in the community have been calling for-a wide-ranging, fully independent inquiry into all aspects of the bushfire disaster of 18 January 2003.

Much has been said in this place about the events of 18 January, but who in this place can say exactly what happened on that day, or who knows exactly how it happened or why it happened? I am sure that members have heard about the report on the AM program this morning. It made a whole series of allegations about the ACT's handling of the bushfire. While I am not happy that they have been aired, these are stories that are circulating in the community. I have heard these and many others that need the attention of a fully independent inquiry.

For those who missed AM this morning, I will quote some of it:

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