Australian Capital Territory
Emergencies (Bushfire Council Members) Appointment 2013 (No 6)
Disallowable instrument DI2013–240
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 Tony Bartlett has worked in forestry and natural resources management for more than 35 years, in Victoria, Nepal, Vanuatu, and the ACT and with the Australian Government. He has extensive experience in the management of native forests and plantations as well as in forest fire management. He was awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal in 2006 and has been a firefighter since 1973. He has been a Regional Fire Protection Officer in eastern Victoria, a Deputy Chief Fire Control Officer in the ACT and he is an experienced Level 3 Incident Controller. He was the Director of ACT Forests and in that role he had significant leadership roles in the 2001 and 2003 bushfires. He has also co-authored a number of articles on mega-fires and fire management in plantations.

The instrument appoints Mr Tony Bartlett 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 Tony Bartlett 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.