Greens urge vigilance against arson - 30 December 2005

With the threat of bushfires increasing in many areas, Greens MLC Ian Cohen has urged extra vigilance against arsonists.

“Extreme weather provides the conditions for bushfires to thrive, but it is arsonists that are our real enemy,” Mr Cohen said today.

“Bushfires are a potential tragedy for many families as well as posing a devastating threat to our wild bushland and the environment. Too often they are deliberately lit. As a community, we focus too little on this fact about bushfires.

“The state Government needs to make sure it has enough police resources deployed to keep an active watch for arsonists.

“Furthermore, we all need to be involved in a public education campaign to keep the community and authorities alert to the threat posed by arsonists.

“We need the community to be able to watch for arsonist in key areas and report any likely trouble to the police immediately,” Mr Cohen said.

Further Information: Ian Cohen 0409 989466 or Ben Oquist 0419 704095