Victoria’s fire season has begun amid total fire bans across large parts of the state, as forest management expert John Mulligan launched his new book Our Mismanaged Forests.
Mr Mulligan’s book brings together the insights of leading forest and fire experts, reinforcing the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission’s finding that without large-scale fuel reduction burning, megafires will continue to devastate communities and the environment.
The warning comes in stark contrast to Victoria’s current position.
Under the Allan Labor Government, fuel reduction burning has averaged just 1 per cent over the past five years — well-short of the Royal Commission’s recommended 5 per cent target. This failure has left many regional communities dangerously exposed.
Shadow Minister for Public Land Management, Melina Bath, said Indigenous cultural burning and broad-scale cool-season fuel reduction must be central to any serious bushfire prevention strategy.
“Bushfires don’t wait for committees or centralised decisions — they demand constant, proactive management,” Ms Bath said.
Ms Bath said the Allan Labor Government has repeatedly ignored expert advice, delivering some of the lowest levels of mitigation in Victoria’s highest-risk regions.
“Grounded G-Wagons and UNIMOGs, weakened CFA support, and soaring emergency services levies have all contributed to regional Victorians paying the price for Labor’s mismanagement.”
Research shows that every dollar invested in fire mitigation returns up to $5 in avoided suppression costs.
“Without an effective mitigation strategy, history will condemn this failure — and our forests and communities will bear the consequences,” Ms Bath said.
“The Nationals will restore proper fuel reduction targets, support volunteer and career firefighters and keep Victorians safe.”
