Disaster assistance has been made available for Tasmania to support the considerable operational effort in combating bushfires that have been burning since December. The funding is being made available through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) to help cover the cost of fighting the bushfires.
Liberal Senator for Tasmania Richard Colbeck, representing Assistant Minister for Home Affairs Linda Reynolds who has responsibility for Commonwealth disaster assistance, said the Commonwealth and Tasmanian Governments were working together to support operational efforts as difficult conditions continue to fuel bushfires around the state. “The fires in Tasmanian have been burning for several weeks, threatening communities and scorching thousands of hectares of wilderness. Our thoughts today are with communities on the West Coast, in the Central Highlands and South of Huonville who are under threat,” Senator Colbeck commented “National assistance, including firefighting personnel, appliances, aircraft and support staff, is being delivered to protect life and property in Tasmania because in tough times Australians pull together.”
Tasmanian Premier the Hon. Will Hodgman MP praised the work of firefighters and the community as fires burn across the state, with a majority burning in remote areas and hard-to-access terrain. “Tasmania Fire Service, Parks and Wildlife Service and Sustainable Timbers Tasmania have been joined by more than 100 interstate and New Zealand personnel to support firefighting operations across the state,” Premier Hodgman commented “Our firefighters are facing extremely hot and difficult conditions to ensure Tasmanians are safe and to protect our property and natural heritage. We are extremely grateful for the incredible job they are doing.”
