INTERVIEW WITH VIRGINIA TRIOLI - ABC2 NEWS BREAKFAST - 8.20am
9 February 2009
Topic: Federal Government response to fire disaster in Victoria
VIRGINIA TRIOLI: Let's get some more now on the Federal Government's response to Australia's worst bushfire disaster.
Federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland joins us now from Canberra.
Attorney-General, good morning.
ROBERT MCCLELLAND: Good morning.
VIRGINIA TRIOLI: Thank you for joining us. We've beenhearing, of course, about the cash handout that we made to those people in distress. What other measures and moves is the Federal Government considering?
ROBERT MCCLELLAND: We’ve provided the $10 million immediate relief fund; but, obviously, in terms of the ongoing rehabilitation and recovery from the fires, obviously, that’s going to be ongoing responsibility that we'll work through with the Australian Government.
But there's a number of help lines that have been put through to the media, should people be concerned about loved ones who they can't locate. And, of course, there's the Social Security assistance hotline. And there's a very useful website which is www.disasterassist.gov.au which has very valuable information.
VIRGINIA TRIOLI: Now, we were just hearing there from Bruce Esplin who's the Emergency Services Commissioner here in Victoria about the question that he has, even in these early stages, about whether the messages that are being put out in relation to stay or flee your home are correct, whether communications are done in the right way or not.
Now, Emergency Management Australia is run by your department. In these - this - first early days, what's your response to those questions that Bruce Esplin's asking himself?
ROBERT MCCLELLAND: I heard the tale end of that interview and I thought those questions were very sensible questions and I think we need to look at that at a national basis; are our practices nationally consistent, are they in accordance with best practice?
And I thought his comment as to whether people stay or actually evacuate their homes was sound. And I think we really need to evaluate that.
The natural inclination, I think, of people is to protect their assets, to protect their animals - in this case where there's rural properties, obviously, that's a factor - let alone their pets. And just what should be sound practice - because, clearly, on the face of it, many, many of those casualties occurred by people fleeing too late.
Now, we can't be judgemental about that decision but we need to get, I think, a - the correct message and the correct message in early. And I think we really do need to look at our early warning systems, whether those early warning systems are adequate and whether they can be enhanced on a national basis.
VIRGINIA TRIOLI: So you think it's time for us to have a discussion about the usefulness these days, given the scale and the heat and intensity of these bushfires these days, that stay and defend your home may have had its day?
ROBERT MCCLELLAND: Well, I’m far from an expert, but we have to bear in mind that when people do stay and defend their homes, then that in itself places additional risk on our emergency responders who have to get in and ultimately save them.
So I think as a community these are very, very sensible questions that were posed and I think we do need to have a national dialogue to work through those and develop best practice and, of course, to develop appropriate education programs, including from the school up.
VIRGINIA TRIOLI: And so then, what are the queries or the qualms that you have then about our early warning systems that you were mentioning just a moment ago?
ROBERT MCCLELLAND: Well, we still don't have in Australia, for instance, a telephone early warning system utilising either home phones or mobile phones. Other countries do have models.
A lot of work has been happening over the last 12 months to look at how we can do that and, in fact, Victoria had been one of the states leading in developing an early warning system, but there are complications of creating a system that doesn't itself overstretch the telephone communication system.
So these are things we've been working through, but clearly, I think everyone needs to redouble their pace on issues such as that.
VIRGINIA TRIOLI: Do you think the emergency services that have been deployed across Victoria, and of course, also in New South Wales - they must be stretched to the limit at the moment - is there any consideration of more support being provided for them?
ROBERT MCCLELLAND: Well, the states have come on board and I think that is itself a demonstration that while we rely on states to provide the immediate emergency responders, disasters of this level are truly a national phenomena and require a national response. And we've seen that with Tasmania, the ACT, South Australia and New South Wales all contributing fire fighters. And I see that even today, despite having their own fires, the New South Wales volunteer firefighters are moving into Victoria as well.
VIRGINIA TRIOLI: Now, one of the key issues of course, in terms of the money that's being offered by the Federal Government in order to provide emergency assistance, the issue there is implementation and how quickly that money can be made available. Is there anything you can tell us about that, about how quickly Centrelink might be able to get that out there?
ROBERT MCCLELLAND: Yeah, certainly. Those cash payments will be available - I'm not sure from today, but very, very smartly. And certainly, the contacts should be made by telephone on the number - and I do have that number; it's 180 22 11. Those immediate cash payments of $1000 per adult, $400 per child are available.
There are also, under a separate fund, funds available to assist with emergency accommodation for families. And certainly, they will be out there smartly.
I know Jenny Macklin has a number of officers on the ground there to provide direct assistance, to provide literally cash payments. So people should contact that number.
VIRGINIA TRIOLI: Robert McClelland, thank you for joining us this morning.
ROBERT MCCLELLAND: That's my pleasure.
ENDS
