The Victorian Liberals and Nationals will move this week to establish a parliamentary inquiry into the January 2026 bushfires that affected communities across the state, with a motion calling for findings to be delivered by 1 June 2026.
The opposition will ask the Environment and Planning Standing Committee to examine the fires in detail, including preparation and planning by government and agencies, the causes and circumstances of the blazes, and the impact on communities, businesses, agriculture and the environment.
Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Emergency Services, Danny O’Brien, said the motion reflected widespread concern among those directly involved and those living with the consequences.
“There needs to be a full investigation by the Parliament into every aspect of this summer’s bushfires,” O’Brien said.
“There’s a lot of concern out there from volunteers, firefighters, emergency management personnel and from the communities directly impacted by the fires, which of course in some areas are still ongoing.”
He said the aim was to ensure lessons were learned and applied. “We need to learn from these fires, just as we did from the Bushfire Royal Commission, so that Victorians are better protected going forward.”
“There’s a lot of concern out there from volunteers, firefighters, emergency management personnel and from the communities directly impacted by the fires, which of course in some areas are still ongoing”
Under the proposal, the committee would be asked to consider preparation and planning ahead of the fire season, including the management of public and private land and roadsides, along with forecasts, warnings and public education about bushfire threats. The scope would also cover the resourcing of emergency services agencies, including funding, staffing, equipment and appliances, as well as emergency responses, communications and command structures.
The motion also seeks scrutiny of the resilience of critical services such as electricity, water and telecommunications during and after the fires, and the impact on native wildlife and the broader environment.
O’Brien accused the Victorian Labor Government of failing to act on earlier findings, saying, “The Allan Labor Government continues to mislead Victorians on the CFA and its annual funding. And there are multiple recommendations from past inquiries that still haven’t been implemented by the Victorian Labor Government.”
He said public hearings would be central to the process. “There must be an opportunity for public hearings, and for those involved in planning, preparation and fighting of the fires, to come before the parliament and explain to the Victorian people what decisions were made, and why.”
“We look forward to getting the inquiry established as soon as possible to ensure the people of Victoria get the answers they deserve.”
If supported by parliament, the inquiry would report by 1 June 2026, drawing together evidence from agencies, experts and affected communities to assess what worked, what failed, and what still needs to change before future fire seasons.
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