The Hon. Annabelle Cleeland, Nationals Member for Euroa, Media Release, 10 April 2026
The Nationals Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, has slammed the Allan Labor Government after it was revealed a key review into Victoria’s 2026 bushfires will be delayed until after the November state election.
Despite the scale of the disaster, which claimed a life, destroyed hundreds of homes and burnt vast areas of land, Inspector-General for Emergency Management Emily Phillips has confirmed the review has not yet commenced. The process has now been pushed back until later this year and will not be completed in time to guide preparations for the upcoming fire season.
Ms Cleeland said the delay means any findings or recommendations would come too late to influence critical frontline decisions around resourcing, equipment and emergency response, as Victoria heads towards what is forecast to be a hot and dry El Niño summer.
“This was a tragedy, and there are serious questions that need answering,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Significant elements of this disaster could have been avoided, and we need that feedback before we make the same mistakes next summer.
“Why has this been pushed out for nearly 12 months, when it means we cannot implement a single recommendation before the next fire season? What is the Premier hiding?”
Ms Cleeland said communities across Victoria, still recovering from the devastating January fires, were being left in limbo while critical lessons remain unexamined.
“Families in places like Ruffy, Highlands and Terip Terip are still living the reality of these fires every single day, and yet the Allan Labor Government is dragging its feet on the very inquiry meant to deliver answers,” she said.
“This is a slap in the face to every volunteer, every farmer and every family who has been calling for accountability.”
Ms Cleeland said the delay raises serious concerns about Victoria’s preparedness heading into a forecast El Niño summer, where hotter and drier conditions were expected to increase bushfire risk.
“We are staring down the barrel of another dangerous fire season, and the Allan Labor Government still hasn’t delivered the findings from the last one,” she said.
“How can communities have confidence that the system will improve if the review process itself is delayed and lacking urgency?”
Ms Cleeland said she had been working closely with local brigades and residents to support submissions into the inquiry and ensure regional voices were heard.
“I am encouraging every CFA volunteer and every impacted resident to put their experience on the record. I will continue pushing to make sure those voices are not ignored,” she said.
“But let’s be clear, this process should already be well advanced. Instead, we are seeing delays, uncertainty and an Allan Labor Government that appears more focused on silencing regional Victorians than fixing the mistakes.”
Ms Cleeland said the Allan Labor Government must urgently commit to a clear timeline and ensure the inquiry delivers practical outcomes before the next fire season.
“Our communities deserve answers, and they deserve them now, not after the next disaster and after an election,” she said.
