The Nationals WA: Government Must Demonstrate Bushfire Readiness

Shadow Minister for Emergency Services, Rob Horstman, has called on the Cook Labor Government to demonstrate that Western Australia is genuinely prepared for a severe bushfire season, as Victoria grapples with widespread and destructive fires.

“With a drying climate and longer fire seasons, bushfire risk is increasing year after year,” Mr Horstman said.

“Ninety per cent of Western Australia is classified as bushfire prone, yet there is little evidence the State’s preparedness is keeping pace with the growing scale and intensity of the threat.”

Mr Horstman said Western Australia faces many of the same challenges currently confronting Victoria, including vast distances, extreme weather conditions and heavy reliance on volunteer firefighters.

“Each year WA responds to around 5,500 bushfires, supported by approximately 1,200 career firefighters and more than 20,000 volunteers operating across 500 Volunteer Bush Fire Brigades,” he said.

“These men and women are the backbone of our emergency response, yet too often they are expected to do more with less.”

Mr Horstman said concerns remain about resourcing, equipment and long-term planning.

“Many volunteers are operating ageing and unreliable equipment in extreme conditions, including temperatures exceeding 40 degrees,” he said.

“This is not just a comfort issue — it is a safety issue.”

He also questioned the Government’s funding priorities, noting a stark contrast between emergency services investment and other spending decisions.

“The Government has allocated just $13.8 million to fire and emergency readiness, while committing $217 million to a new racetrack,” Mr Horstman said.

“At a time when bushfire risk is escalating, that imbalance raises serious questions about priorities.”

Mr Horstman said the Government’s approach to emergency services more broadly had been reactive rather than strategic.

“This was the same Government that had to be pressured into delivering a modest pay rise for full-time firefighters,” he said.

“Retention, morale and workforce capability matter when lives and communities are on the line.”

Mr Horstman called on the Premier and Acting Premier to publicly outline the State’s bushfire readiness.

“Western Australians deserve confidence that the plans, people, equipment and infrastructure are in place to respond to multiple, large-scale bushfires,” he said.

“We cannot afford to wait until a crisis unfolds to find out whether the system is up to the task.”