COMMITTEES

Senator McKENZIE (Victoria—Leader of the Nationals in the Senate) (15:48): I move: That the following matter be referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report by 12 May 2026: The effectiveness of preparedness, response and recovery arrangements and impacts on communities and industries, of the 2025-26 summer bushfires and storm surges in regional Victoria, including: (a) preparedness, response and recovery functions by Commonwealth, state and local government agencies; (b) the provision of meteorological advice by the Bureau of Meteorology; (c) access to and resilience of critical utilities and telecommunications services; (d) availability and responsiveness of insurance; (e) the impacts on affected communities and on Victorian industries including the agricultural, construction, hospitality and tourism sectors; and (f) any related matters.