Black Saturday

ABC News Special Coverage

Chair of the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission Bernard Teague

Bernard Teague says he challenges the notion the Commission kept the stay-or-go policy.

Teague explains stance on stay-or-go policy Video Audio Photo

By Jane Cowan

In his only interview since the release of the Black Saturday bushfires report, the Royal Commission's chair, Bernard Teague, has clarified his support for the contentious stay-or-go policy.

Speaking exclusively to the ABC, he said it would be a "disaster" if people took his recommendations to mean they could safely stay to defend a house from bushfire. More

Tags: disasters-and-accidents, fires, bushfire, royal-commission-victoria-2009-bushfires, australia, vic, flowerdale-3717, kinglake-3763, marysville-3779, st-andrews-3761, strathewen-3099, yea-3717

  • It's estimated it will cost $5 billion to put power cables underground in high-risk bushfire areas.Bushfire response

    The Brumby Government has refused to give initial support to the royal commission's more complex and costly recommendations. Video Audio Photo

  • John Brumby fronts the mediaBrumby sorry

    Victorian Premier John Brumby has apologised for the failings of the state's emergency response on Black Saturday. Video Audio Photo

  • 173 people were killed and thousands were left homeless when bushfires swept across Victoria in February 2009.Cabinet meeting

    The Victorian Government will hold a special cabinet meeting today to discuss yesterday's Bushfires Royal Commission final report. Video Audio Photo

  • Firefighter volunteer during Black SaturdayCall to action

    Fire-affected communities are demanding swift action in response to the Victoria Bushfires Royal Commission's final report. Video Audio Photo

  • John Brumby fronts the mediaFinal report

    Victoria's Bushfires Royal Commission recommends sweeping policy changes in response to the Black Saturday and Gippsland bushfires. Video Photo

  • A Black Saturday bushfire covers a hillside below the house of Wade Horton at HumevalePsychological scars

    A psychologist treating Black Saturday victims says the anniversary could trigger mental breakdowns. Video Photo

  • Kinglake: the town still too tough to dieEmotion palpable

    The ABC's Jane Cowan reports from Kinglake, which suffered the worst loss of life in the Black Saturday bushfires. Video Photo

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