Chief Minister Andrew Barr will consult with local authorities on the proposed scope of Scott Morrison's royal commission into the bushfire crisis before deciding whether the ACT will support it.
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The Prime Minister has written to premiers and chief ministers seeking approval for the inquiry, as well as their feedback on draft terms of reference.
Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, Mr Morrison said those who had died in the bushfire crisis were owed a royal commission so lessons could be learnt from the horror summer.
Mr Barr supports a national inquiry into the catastrophic fire season, declaring on a number of occasions that the way in which the Commonwealth and states interact during emergencies has to change.
But his support for a royal commission is not unreserved.
He wants the probe to be completed quickly, so that any findings or recommendations can be used to inform planning for next summer's fire season. Mr Morrison has assured the review will be completed by the end of August.
Mr Barr has also said that any inquiry or royal commission would not be "adequate" unless it "thoroughly" examines what effect climate change has had on the length and ferocity of bushfire seasons.
Mr Barr's office would not provide The Canberra Times with Mr Morrison's letter or the terms of reference, and they have not been published publicly.
However, it was understood that the proposed inquiry would consider how Australia was adapting to a changing climate, and what measures should be taken to mitigate natural disasters.
Mr Morrison has said publicly that he wants the review to consider at what point the federal government, including the military, should step in and support states during disasters.
The inquiry would also comb through recommendations from past bushfire reviews, as well as examine issues surrounding hazard-reduction burning, land clearing and native vegetation laws.
National standards and reporting requirements for hazard-reduction burning have also been floated by the Prime Minister.
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Mr Barr confirmed on Wednesday morning that he had received Mr Morrison's letter. He said he would consult with colleagues and ACT government agencies in the coming days before providing feedback on the draft terms of reference.
Feedback was due on February 12, he said.
Mr Barr has already put forward a number of proposals he would like to see examined as part of any review.
This includes creating a national pool of fire fighting appliances, including waterbombing aircraft, which the Commonwealth could make available to states and territories. Mr Barr also wants it to be easier for the military to be deployed earlier in an unfolding crisis.
Defence should also have a role in helping states and territories in preparation for the bushfire season, including with hazard reduction, he said.
"We do not need a drawn out inquiry that covers the same ground as dozens of previous inquiries," he said.
"We also don't need an exercise in political posturing or finger pointing."