VPRS 16493 Public Submissions

This series consists of public submissions to the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission. The Commission invited submissions from the public, in response to its terms of reference, commencing 18 March 2009 and concluding 9 April 2010. Approximately 1700 submissions were received. Late submissions were also reviewed but were considered only if they contained compelling information not previously presented to the Commission. Submissions were received electronically via the Commission’s website or by email. Paper submissions were scanned and stored digitally. Some physical items were received, and these were returned to the submitter at the close of the Commission. Submissions were made available to the public via the Commission’s website, provided they didn’t include material that was defamatory, offensive or contravene anti-discrimination or anti-vilification legislation, or were outside the Commission’s terms of reference. A small number were not published for reasons of confidentiality. In its final report, the Commission described the submissions as ranging from brief personal accounts and anecdotes to lengthy formal documents from organisations. More information about the types of submissions received and how the Commission used the submissions can be found in the Commission’s final report (see VPRS 16295).