Premier announces independent bushfire inquiry
Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced an independent expert inquiry into the 2019-20 bushfire season.
The six-month inquiry will review the causes, preparation and response to the 2019-20 bushfires.
The inquiry will be led by Dave Owens, former Deputy Commissioner of NSW Police, and Professor Mary O’Kane AC, Independent Planning Commission Chair and former NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said Professor O’Kane and Mr Owens have an extraordinary breadth and depth of experience into the matters they will be examining.
“NSW is incredibly proud of the efforts of all our emergency services personnel and volunteers throughout this ongoing bushfire season, but the scale of these fires has been unprecedented and we must leave no stone unturned,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This inquiry will allow NSW to learn from this season and the catastrophic conditions we’ve faced and apply these learnings for the future.”
The inquiry will commence within days and submissions will be accepted from the public.
A report will be submitted to the Premier at the end of the inquiry.