BUSHFIRE ROYAL COMMISSION INTERIM REPORT RELEASED

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MELBOURNE 000097

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

White House for NSC Bader

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID SENV CASC AS
SUBJECT: BUSHFIRE ROYAL COMMISSION INTERIM REPORT RELEASED

Ref: A) Melbourne 31, B) Melbourne 28, C) Melbourne 25, D) Melbourne
24, E) Melbourne 23, F) Melbourne 21, G) Melbourne 20, H) Melbourne
17, I) Canberra 134, J) Canberra 100

Summary
--------------


1. (SBU) A Royal Commission into the deadly February 7 wild fires
which cost 173 lives released its interim report on August 17. We
provide a snapshot of key recommendations. The Victorian government
has informed post that it will likely ask for another U.S. wild fire
liaison officer to facilitate future U.S. personnel deployments as
the state gears up for another dry and hot fire season. End
Summary.

Interim Report Released
--------------


2. (U) In response to the devastating wild fires which commenced on
February 7 and cost 173 lives (reftels),a Royal Commission was
launched to investigate the causes and to generate recommendations
to prepare for future blazes. While the full findings of the report
will not be available until July 2010, the Victorian government
released an interim report on August 17 in order to prepare for the
2009-10 fire season which many expect to be just as difficult as the
2008-09 season.

Snapshot of Key Findings
--------------


3. (SBU) The complete interim report can be found online at:
http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Interim -Report. Key
recommendations include:

-- Warnings were insufficient both in timeliness and in method of
delivery. Warning systems should be extended, simplified and use
clear language.

-- Emergency telephone services were overwhelmed by call volumes,
leading to serious failures. These systems' capacities should be
increased.

-- Victoria's longstanding "stay and defend or leave early" policy
was retained. The Commission placed emphasis on better explaining
the costs (including death) and requirements involved in citizens
defending their property. Emergency personnel should warn citizens
that leaving early is the safest option and advise whether homes are
defendable. The stay or go policy is highly controversial among
fire experts, but the general consensus among fire officials in
jurisdictions including Victoria and the Australian Capital
Territory (ACT) is that the policy is longstanding and appropriate
if the public is well educated and warnings effectively
implemented.

-- Existing facilities such as parking lots should be used for
emergency refuge locations rather than purpose built structures.

-- Emergency legislation should be amended to clearly designate
which state agency (Country Fire Authority or the Department of
Sustainability and Environment) is responsible for warnings.

-- State agencies should be given direct responsibility for ensuring
that staffing and equipment are commensurate with fire risks.

-- Regular contact between federal and state entities is
recommended. (Comment: Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Bushfire
Reconstruction Bill Shorten told us earlier this year that the
Commonwealth has no interest in usurping state precedence in wild
fire management. End Comment.)

US-Australia Wild Fire Cooperation
--------------


4. (SBU) U.S. wild fire assistance continues to be lauded at public
events and remains a key source of goodwill. The Department of
Foreign Affairs informed Canberra econoff on August 13 that
legislative changes to the Foreign States Immunities Act of 1985 to
allow the Attorney General to certify certain activities (like
firefighting exchange) to enjoy a level of immunity equal to that
provided by the U.S. is in train to be taken up this week in federal
Parliament. We have no indication that these changes will not be

MELBOURNE 00000097 002 OF 002


passed quickly. Regardless of whether the bill passes, however, the
Victorian government has informed us that they will likely ask for
another U.S. liaison officer in the December-February 2009-10 period
to facilitate the deployment of U.S. wild fire teams if needed.

Background on the Royal Commission
--------------


5. (U) A Royal Commission is an administrative inquiry which
operates independent of the government. It has broad investigative
powers, operates in a public setting and is not under an obligation
to reach a definitive verdict. It is required to report on the
nature of its inquiries, explaining the conclusions that were drawn
from its investigations and its advice to the government. The
Commission consulted with affected communities, received formal
submissions and conducted public hearings.

Comment
--------------


6. (SBU) Nerves are still raw from Australia's deadliest natural
disaster. Local papers are still running above the fold stories of
affected families as the state rebuilds. The recommendations in the
interim report are not surprising and many of them echo concerns
expressed prior to the disaster by many experts. The stay or go
policy is a longstanding and emotional issue for Victorians and it
is not surprising that the Commission did not attempt to overturn
it. The political cost of changing the policy would likely be
significant but this could leave Australians vulnerable in the
future. With a dry and hot season forecast this year, it will be a
significant challenge for the Victorian and federal governments to
adopt many of the recommendations in time. End Comment.


7. This is a collaborate cable with Embassy Canberra.

THURSTON