Victoria declares state of disaster as out-of-control blazes rage
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The news: Premier of Victoria, Jacinta Allan, declared a State of Disaster after bushfires continued to ravage the state into the night.
The context: The state of disaster covers 18 local government areas and one alpine resort, giving emergency responders greater powers to forcibly remove people whose lives are in danger.
The declaration also allows the state government to direct authorities to possess a private property to respond to the disaster and control movement in the area.
The powers ensure “that every part of government – every department, every agency, every authority – is focused on one priority: protecting life”, Allan’s statement reads.
“The declaration allows authorities to order evacuations, control movement through dangerous areas, and act as decisively as possible” and “sends a clear message to those who have been advised to leave: if you can, you must” Allan said.
Concerns remain for a man, woman and child who remain unaccounted for after a house was destroyed by the Longwood bushfire in central Victoria.
Communities across Victoria saw temperatures climb above 40 degrees Celsius on Friday, while more than 90,000 people were without power at one point on Friday afternoon.
The sources: Jacinta Allan statement, State of Disaster Declaration, ABC, The Australian
