Gippsland Nationals MP Darren Chester is urging regional residents to make their voices heard, with the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements now receiving public submissions.
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Individuals, organisations, community groups and the broader community can make a submission about the 2019-20 bushfire season by telephone or online.
Mr Chester said this was a chance for Gippslanders to have a say.
"There are many people throughout Gippsland with extensive knowledge and experience of managing the land to share," Mr Chester said
"We need to make sure those experienced local voices are heard at this Royal Commission."
He said Gippslanders wanted to see goverments do more in terms of hazard reduction.
"We need more boots and less suits to drive bushfire prevention, infrastructure upgrades and better management of our natural assets to keep our communities safe," Mr Chester said.
"The Australian Defence Force played a critical role during the bushfire crisis and the recovery phase.
"I hope the royal commission will clarify how the ADF can be deployed to provide critical support in a crisis, so there is no question about its role and how it is activated."
He said two of the valuable lessons learned, over the past few months, was the importance of maintaining reliable mobile communications and safet transport corridors, during both the response and recovery phases of natural disasters.
The Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements will look at:
. improving natural disaster management coordination across all levels of government;
. improving Australia's preparedness, resilience, and response to natural disasters, across all levels of government; and
. the legal framework for the Commonwealth's involvement in responding to national emergencies and how that works with state and territory legal frameworks.
Submissions can now be made by calling 1800 909 826 from Monday to Friday between 8.30am to 5.30pm, or visiting naturaldisaster.royalcommission.gov.au. Submissions close on April 3, 2020.
The Bushfire Royal Commission will begin holding formal hearings from April.
More information about the hearings will be announced later this month.
The royal commission is also taking expressions of interest to attend community forums this month during which commissioners will meet with small groups representative of fire-affected communities.
For more information, visit naturaldisaster.royalcommission.gov.au or email rcnda.enquiries@royalcommission.gov.au.
