Society is our own worst enemy when it comes to bushfires.

They have occurred naturally throughout the world for centuries via lightning strikes and probably since humans made fire accidentally as well.

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The indigenous people of Australia who have lived here for centuries will tell you how to control them, they burn off during a safe season to reduce deadfall (fuel), I have also seen this in other countries around the world.

As a young child my father was a policeman in single man police stations across Victoria and people used to come in for permits.

Cattle and sheep were also allowed to graze in state forests which also reduced deadfall. This has all stopped due to what I can only envisage as a plea from conservationists.

Roll on 2020, families are opting for tree changes and living right among the towering gum trees and they are not allowed to burn off, farmers during a time of drought would gladly offer to pay to allow their stock to feed in state owned forests, and families would gladly venture into state forests to fill a trailer of deadfall for the winter, but this doesn't happen anymore.

Yet every decade or less when the deadfall (fuel) has built up we get devastation.

Take some advice from our nation's first people or just use common sense.

More wildlife, property, livelihoods, and lives are destroyed in firestorms than 20 years of backburning.

To be fair and impartial, I think David Arscott from Kangaroo Flat should be asking to apply his rule to all ministers.

In his free time he could perhaps email his suggestion to all political parties, federal and state.

As a footnote, all businesses in all states and territories are subject to their respective OH&S rules.

Police search for missing teenager Ashton Richardson

In Victoria the inspectors from Worksafe are expected to enforce the appropriate legislation.

Companies do have a responsibility to look after their employees.

Sadly a number of them don't.

This was the main reason why the Act was amended recently to include Industrial manslaughter at workplaces.

Hopefully it won't be needed if the owners and managers take their responsibilities seriously.

It's worth noting the Liberal opposition opposed the amendment.

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