Bushfire royal commission launches to look at 'lessons for the future', chair says
A royal commission into Australia's unprecedented bushfires will not engage in finger pointing, its chair says.
Mark Binskin says the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements will deliver practical recommendations ahead of the next bushfire season.
During an online ceremonial hearing on Thursday, Mr Binskin noted there had been a number of previous inquiries into natural disasters in Australia.
The 2019-2020 bushfires killed 33 people and destroyed more than 3000 homes. AAP
He said the royal commission will work with state inquiries into the 2019-20 bushfire season to avoid duplication and consider how broader preparedness, resilience and recovery can be enhanced.
"WIth this in mind it's important for me to state that we do not intend to reopen the findings of these other inquiries, nor do we seek to point fingers or apportion blame to any jurisdiction, government or individual," Mr Binskin said.
"Rather, we are focused on national coordination and on looking for lessons for the future."
Thousands of people in the Victorian town of Mallacoota were forced to evacuate to the beach when fire swept through at January. The Royal Commission aims to better prepare Australia for the next bushfire season. Getty
The 'Black Summer' bushfires across Australia killed 33 people, destroyed more than 3000 homes and burned through more than 10 million hectares of land.
The six-month inquiry must deliver a final report by August 31.
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