As the bushfires that ripped across Australia continue to burn, the inquiries into the causes and handling of the fires have already begun. Earlier this week, the government of New South Wales announced the first of what is expected to be a series of probes, looking to examine how the fires may have been affected by climate change, drought, human activity, and other concerns, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. The federal government is expected to follow, with a royal commission seen as a possibility. With months left in the fire season, inquiries and investigations from other provinces remain likely.
The role of the Australian Defense Force in fighting the bushfires is expected to feature prominently, with the military having previously put significant effort into “war-gaming” similar scenarios. Said retired army major Michael Thomas to the Herald of the army’s efforts, “The [Australian Defence Force’s] voice has been lost in the Australian debate.” Thomas also observed “Climate change is talked about as a ‘threat multiplier’ but it’s actually a ‘burden multiplier.”
Concerns also remain about the reliance on volunteer firefighting services, with President of the Volunteer Fire Fighters Association Mick Holton observing the official number of active volunteers has been greatly overstated, with the true number being close to 18,500. Says Holton, “We’ve said all along [the 70,000-plus figure] is not the case and if it was the case, they wouldn’t have to import all these other firefighting resources as they have had to.”
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