Page 241 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 6 March 2007
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go away by the Chief Minister will force the residents of Weston Creek to forget how Jon Stanhope let them down.
It is quite appalling that the Chief Minister continues to deny the fact that strong warnings were given to him in the cabinet meeting on Thursday, 16 January in relation to Weston Creek being at greatest risk during the 2003 bushfires. In fact, this was one of 17 matters that were discussed at that cabinet meeting, which lasted between 45 minutes to an hour. In his evidence to the coroner, the Chief Executive of the Department of Justice and Community Safety, Tim Keady, explained why the cabinet briefing was occurring. He said:
… we were already aware that we had a serious fire situation on our hands. It was certainly the worst that has occurred in my time in Canberra and it seemed as bad or worse than anyone else could recall. To the extent that the suggestion has been made here that the situation is very serious and likely to get worse, I think we were already aware of that.
That is from volume I at page 261. Let us look at some more quotes from Mr Keady. Also at page 261:
… the nature of the event, the magnitude of it and the expenditure that we were investing in the event … a very significant bushfire. At that stage it had been going for well over a week. It was a source of speculation, concern.
He went on to say:
From the briefing paper and other documents created for us and as a result of the briefing, it is readily apparent that the following matters were brought to the attention of Cabinet members and were subjects of discussion:”
Weston Creek was singled out as being one of the two areas, the other being Dunlop, that were under the greatest threat, and yet Jon Stanhope, in his capacity as Chief Minister, failed to warn the residents, and in so doing he failed in his duty of Chief Minister and failed in his duty towards the residents of Weston Creek.
Mr Keady said in his evidence that Dunlop and the suburbs of Weston Creek were mentioned as being at greatest risk. He said further that he “accepted there was no disadvantage in giving people on the western edge of Canberra the same information about the potential serious impact that was given to the ACT Cabinet”.
Mr Speaker, I find it appalling that the Chief Minister was made very aware—very aware—of the severity, yet was too complacent. The cabinet knew just how dire the situation was and yet they did not question things like the weather conditions or the rate at which the fire was advancing, because the government assumed what? The government assumed that the event would happen on Monday and not, as it tragically did, on the Saturday.
The Chief Minister’s complacency goes to the very heart of ministerial accountability. He knows he should resign but it is very sad that he lacks the courage to do so. I think the people of Weston Creek really deserve a much better explanation from this Chief
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