have a look at this....another of our worst fire seasons on us right now.....and this bloke takes a holiday.... they are not serious about anything...
Fire watchdog Neil Comrie takes summer holiday weeks after Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission appointment Stephen McMahon From: Herald Sun December 04, 2009 12:00AM 9 commentsIncrease Text Size Decrease Text Size Print Email Share Add to Digg Add to del.icio.us Add to Facebook Add to Kwoff Add to Myspace Add to Newsvine What are these? BUSHFIRE watchdog Neil Comrie has begun a month-long holiday just weeks after being appointed to oversee the introduction of the bushfires royal commission's recommendations.
Despite being hired for only a five-month consultancy, the former Victoria Police chief commissioner has already knocked off for summer and won't return to work until January 2.
Mr Comrie will report to the commission at the end of March on the Government's progress.
He has declined to reveal how much he is being paid for the job.
Opposition spokesman on bushfire recovery Peter Ryan said it was a disgrace Mr Comrie wasn't at his desk over summer.
"This is a travesty and Neil Comrie can't do justice to this vital job when he is not even in the country," he said.
"Neil Comrie may not be reporting until March, but the monitor should be on the spot over the summer."
Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar. Related CoverageHave your say: Critics slam fire risk signs as 'no use' Royal Commission: Fireys 'took sickies' on Black Saturday In depth: Bushfire Royal Commission Multimedia special: Victorian Bushfires Fire watchdog Neil Comrie takes summer holiday weeks after Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission appointment NEWS.com.au, Government 'shirked bushfire responsiblities' Herald Sun, 1 day ago Inquiry hears of victims' last calls The Australian, 4 Nov 2009 Ex top cop polices bushfire changes Herald Sun, 4 Nov 2009 Kokoda dad and daughter farewelled Herald Sun, 2 Sep 2009End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar. The Opposition yesterday lodged a formal letter of complaint to Mr Comrie's office about the Brumby government's "failure to implement" recommendations about neighbourhood safe places.
But Police Minister Bob Cameron's spokesman defended the holidaying official, who has already met key organisations and is scheduled to undertake an extensive regional tour in early January of the 52 most endangered areas.
"He has also developed a work plan that sets out clear actions for his three staff, including gathering information from agencies and carrying out site visits, so work will continue during the holiday season and the delivery report remains on schedule to be tabled by March 31," a government spokesman said.
