VZCZCXRO4765
RR RUEHPT
DE RUEHBN #0097/01 2310108
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 190108Z AUG 09
FM AMCONSUL MELBOURNE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4993
INFO RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC
RUEHC/DEPT OF INTERIOR WASHINGTON DC
RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHINGTON DC
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 3636
RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 0008
RUEHDN/AMCONSUL SYDNEY 2128
RUEHPT/AMCONSUL PERTH 1609

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