Fire Politics

Can you believe the polies!  I read this on the Age web site.

The heightened threat comes as the State Government is being accused of blocking vital bushfire-awareness television commercials because they contained a Federal Government logo.

Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu said: "We believe that an important safety awareness message was pulled by the State Government on political grounds."

Emergency Services Commissioner Bruce Esplin confirmed he requested that the advertisements not be shown in Victoria. But he denied that the federal advertisements, due to begin this month, were blocked for political reasons.

Mr Esplin said the state did not want the advertisements, which screened in Victoria last summer, shown again this year because they created a "confusing message for the Victorian community".

"All the research indicates that communities respond best to locally relevant messages and those messages need to be delivered by locally trusted and respected authorities," he said.

Deputy Premier John Thwaites told The Sunday Age: "This will be one of our toughest-ever years.

If it is to be one of the worst seasons ever then get the message out as often and as broadly as possible!  I don't live in the direct danger of a fire (well not to my knowledge) but I know plenty who do and we should let people know!

Then there is the issue why would we pay out to produce our own ads when we can get the feds to put up the money? it does not make sense!