The Victorian Premier John Brumby has appointed a former police commissioner to ensure agencies and departments implement recommendations by the Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission’s interim report.

Former Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police, Neil Comrie, will be responsible for auditing progress of agencies and departments’ implementation of Commission interim recommendations, and would also report back to the Commission on behalf of the government with a delivery report by 31 March, 2010.

The Government supported all 51 recommendations in the Royal Commission’s interim report and has provided it with a full implementation plan which sets out the lead agency, associated actions, allocated responsibilities and the processes required to implement those recommendations.  

“We set the Royal Commission the widest possible terms of reference, tight deadlines and capacity to inquire into every aspect of the tragic February fires because we wanted to leave no stone unturned in better protecting Victorians in future bushfires,” Mr Brumby said, on announcing the appointment.

“Government departments and agencies are working quickly to implement recommendations of the Royal Commission’s interim report on top of delivering significant new measures and resources for the firefighting effort announced since the Black Saturday fires.

“Mr Comrie brings a wealth of experience to this role, having undertaken a number of reviews for the State and Commonwealth governments.”