Sophie slams Rudd for refusing Joint Parliamentary Committee on Vic Bushfires

20-March-2009

Sophie Mirabella MP, Federal Liberal Member for Indi, has joined with her parliamentary colleague in the neighbouring electorate of McEwen the Hon. Fran Bailey in calling for a Federal Parliamentary Inquiry into the February 2007 Victorian Bushfires.

“There are 12 Federal Government Departments that have been involved and the significant Federal Government role in relief, recovery and response needs to examined.”

“My electorate of Indi was impacted by the bushfires and the people of these communities need a say in how the Government can assist in the rebuilding of lives, communities and homes and resettle their families after this tragic ordeal,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“The Coalition has given the Government our complete support in the bushfire response. But for the Prime Minister to arrogantly rule out a Parliamentary Committee where citizens can voice their concerns is unacceptable and I join the calls for him to change his mind.”

“Kevin Rudd has made the wrong decision. He needs to demonstrate leadership and admit he got it wrong and continue the bipartisan approach by establishing a joint parliamentary inquiry.”

“The Victorian royal commission will not report in the life of this parliament and in any case may not even cover many matters under commonwealth jurisdiction,” Mrs Mirabella concluded.