Shadow Minister for Primary Industries & Water, Shadow Minister for Police & Emergency Services, Shadow Minister for Parks & Wildlife, Shadow Minister for Local Government

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13
Jan

Worst possible time for computer melt-down

2010

Reports today that the bushfire website collapsed after a relatively modest 15,000 people visited it yesterday shows that the Government has taken its eye off the ball at a crucial time.

I was disturbed to learn that the Fire Service actually has new computer servers sitting unused beside the malfunctioning servers.

The Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission has high-lighted that communications with residents is the prime area for improvement, and the most important factor to save lives.

For this computer meltdown to occur so soon following the bushfire tragedy is amazing.
Everyone knows that given Tasmania had one of its wettest winters on record, followed by a dry spring, there would be a significant bushfire threat this year.

Given that the internet, in addition to radio, is one of the two main sources of information on bushfires, for the bushfire website to collapse after only 15,000 people visited it is unacceptable.
The website provides vital, up-to-date information for people who may be in the path of a bushfire and need to know what to do.

The Government must make sure this problem is fixed as a matter of urgency before the next time there is an extreme fire danger.

Premier Bartlett must explain whether the Tasmanian Fire Service has sufficient resources available to it to correct the situation immediately.