Australian Capital Territory
Emergencies (Bushfire Council Members) Appointment 2013 (No 5)
Disallowable instrument DI2013–239
made under the  
Emergencies Act 2004, s 129 (Bushfire council members)
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

The Bushfire Council, established under section 127 of the Emergencies Act 2004, has the function of advising the Minister about matters relating to bushfires.

Under section 129 (1) of the Emergencies Act 2004 the Minister must appoint members of the Bushfire Council. Under section 129 (2) the Minister must try to ensure that people with particular skills, interests and experience are among the members appointed. The appointments are made according to these requirements.

Mr Michael Lonergan has been a firefighter for almost 40 years. He is currently a member of the NSW Rural Fire Service and was a member of the ACT Rural Fire Service. He first became a member of the ACT Bushfire Council in 1988 and has served for most years since and for two years as Deputy Chairperson. He has extensive interest in the science, management and suppression of bushfires. He is a former Chairman of the ACT Volunteer Brigades Association and has been Captain of two New South Wales Volunteer Brigades. Mr Lonergan is currently a Group Captain in the Monaro Zone of the NSWRFS and is a member of the Snowy Monaro Bushfire Management Committee.

The instrument appoints Mr Michael Lonergan as a Member of the Bushfire Council. The appointment commences on 1 October 2013 for a period of three (3) years and expires on 30 September 2016.

Mr Michael Lonergan is not a public servant as defined under the 
Legislation Act 2001.

The Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety has been consulted on the appointment as required under the provisions of the Legislation Act 2001. The Committee advised that it had no concerns with the appointment.