Thursday, 10 February 2022

Northern Victoria Region

Mr QUILTY (Northern Victoria) (12:45): (1621) My constituency question is to the Minister for Emergency Services. Minister, will you remove the threats of fines and arrest on farmers trying to return to their farms and livestock during fires? In a recent visit to Corryong I heard many concerns locals had regarding the recovery process after the 2020 fires. There were some repeating themes, one being the roadblocks set up during the fire. Farmers were told they could not return to their properties to protect livestock or buildings. Some were threatened with $150 000 fines. Others were too afraid to leave their farms for urgently needed medical treatment or supplies in case they could not return. Many found ways back to their farms through well-known local backtracks. These roads were much less safe than the main roads they were initially on. Many of these locals have far more experience of bushfires than those making decisions to stop them. I experienced this issue myself during the 2020 fires. The community has given this feedback in debriefing meetings, but they feel they have been ignored.