Our government's immediate focus has been supporting the Rural Fire Service and State Governments to combat the bushfires and help communities recover.

We have now established the National Bushfire Recovery Agency, a two-year, $2 billion commitment, to help Australians affected by fires get back on their feet.

There is little doubt that these fires have been some of the most devastating and prolonged in Australia's history.

Whether this is a result of changing environmental conditions or a failure of agencies and policies to address proper land management and clearing, the inquiry will examine it.

Minister for Natural Disaster and Emergency Management David Littleproud requested the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Environment and Energy carry out the inquiry which will examine the efficacy of past and current vegetation and land management policy, practice and legislation and their effect on the intensity and frequency of the bushfires.

Committee chairman Ted O'Brien is leading the inquiry and he would like to receive submissions by email to environment.reps@aph.gov.au by 28 February this year.

After the inquiry, we will be able to develop a national strategy to prevent similar large scale bushfire events in the future and I encourage all impacted residents or those who have an opinion on this subject to make a submission.

Pat Conaghan MP

Member for Cowper