A 1000-page Royal Commission report with 80 recommendations about how to deal with the ongoing threat of bushfires was presented to the Governor-General on Wednesday, but the public will not see the report until Friday.
Issues with cross-border communication between NSW and Victoria, the problems with mobile phone emergency apps and the difficulties faced by bushfire victims, emergency recovery centres and fireifghters in the Upper Murray and Alpine areas were all raised during the hearings earlier this year.
Emergency Management Minister David Littleproud confirmed on Wednesday that Governor-General David Hurley had received the final report of the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements and it was provided to the federal and state governments.
Speaking in front of Parliament House on Wednesday morning, Eden-Monaro MP Kristy McBain said people in bushfire-affected communities were asking for action on mitigation, land management and climate change.
"We know there is funding on mitigation that hasn't been spent yet," she said.
"We're asking for action so that communities don't have to go through these same situations year in, year out."
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese said it was "unfortunate" the Royal Commission findings would not be handed down until after the Parliament sitting week.
Asked if it was fair enough that the government take a day or two to consider its response to the Royal Commission report, Mr Albanese said "it would be handy if we got to see the report".
"This is an independent report, it's not a government report, and all Australians are entitled to have a considered response to it," he said.
Speaking in question time at Parliament yesterday afternoon, Mr Littleproud said it was important the federal and state governments could together have "real transparency around recovery and around preparedness into the future".
