FED: Stanhope says bushfire criticism is inaccurate

AAP General News (Australia)
12-19-2006
FED: Stanhope says bushfire criticism is inaccurate

CANBERRA, Dec 19 AAP - ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope says a coroner's criticism of
his government over the 2003 Canberra bushfires is inaccurate.

Mr Stanhope said the ACT government would prepare a response to the criticism outlined
in coroner Maria Doogan's inquiry findings, handed down today.

Mrs Doogan slammed the government's Emergency Services Bureau for inadquately planning
for, and fighting, the bushfires which killed four people and destroyed hundreds of homes.

Mr Stanhope said he would outline the inaccuracies in the government's detailed response,
which would be available in February next year.

"As you are aware there are also a number of quite critical comments in relation to
myself, I don't agree with them, I don't believe they are sustained by the evidence or
that there are any basis for them," he told reporters.

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KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES INQUIRY STANHOPE

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