The problem is Kingy, that if there is less willingness to do hazard reduction burns, then budgets are largely irrelevent. You cant have good land management without good fire management. The issue is that bushfires are hugely expensive to contain, when compared to the comparitively inexpensive burning, and without all or most of the massive damage and environmental losses. The money spent on suppression would far better be directed to burning (onlywhen done properly!!). There is a shocking waste of money in some departments - whate is needed is top level smart upper managers with good practical field experience (and they are few and far between. To understand some of the issues read some of Robert Onfrays excellent articles, written after decades of managerial and hands on experience, unlike some of the comments from some people here who have had zilch experience, and no accountability.
