Natural disaster inquiry given until October to finalise report

The Federal
Government has given the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster
Arrangements two more months to complete its work.

Royal Commission chairman Mark Binskin sought to extend the reporting date from 31 August to 28 October to enable the inquiry to complete a more comprehensive report.

The Royal Commission was established on 20 February 2020 in response to the extreme bushfire season of 2019-20 which led to loss of life and extensive property, wildlife and environmental destruction.

It has received
1772 submissions and 171 responses to its issues papers and conducted hearings
over 25 days with appearances by 226 witnesses.