FED: Stanhope says bushfire criticism is inaccurate=2

AAP General News (Australia)
12-19-2006
FED: Stanhope says bushfire criticism is inaccurate=2

Mr STANHOPE says he has no intention of resigning .. following the findings of the
coroner's report which is highly critical of his actions.

The Chief Minister says claims the ACT cabinet was warned of the threat to property
in Canberra two days before the 2003 bushfires hit .. are false.

Four people were killed and almost 500 homes destroyed during the January 18 firestorm in 2003.

Coroner MARIA DOOGAN has found the ACT government had been briefed about bushfires
.. which had broken containment lines and were headed towards urban areas of Canberra
.. but they failed to adequately warn residents.

But Mr STANHOPE says the coroner is simply wrong .. and there's no evidence to sustain the claim.

He says senior emergency service officials criticised in the findings shouldn't be
blamed .. and none of those named in the report are incompetent or should be stood down.

AAP RTV sld/sb/els/rt

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRE INQUEST GOV 2 CANBERRA (REOPENS)

2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.