^{Date Published: 21 May 2009 12:28pm}

The Australian Senate announced an inquiry will be undertaken by the Senate select committee on agricultural and related industries into Australian Bushfires.  The committee is chaired by Senator Heffernan who initiated the inquiry.

It will look at

• The incidence and severity of bushfires across Australia, including the impact on humans, animals, agricultural land, the environment, public and private assets and local communities.
• The causes of fires will also be under scrutiny, including accidental, natural and deliberate, and what remedies could be pursued.
• The impact of land management policies and hazard reduction will be examined.
• The extent and effectiveness of existing bushfire mitigation strategies, and what alternatives might be considered.

The terms of reference also enable the inquiry to look at the appropriateness of planning and building codes, the adequacy and funding of fire-fighting resources and the role of volunteers.  Insurance issues will also be under the spotlight.

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