Bushfire submissions deadline to close

Bushfire victims who want to appear before the Bushfire Royal Commission's
preliminary hearings in Melbourne are being urged to register quickly.
Victorian Nationals Leader Peter Ryan said many people affected by the February 7
bushfires wanted to address the commission, but may not realise the closing date is
Thursday at 4pm (AEST).
"Due to the complexity of the recovery process many bushfire victims have been
caught up in the upheaval of trying to rebuild their lives," Mr Ryan said.
"It may be that the application closing date for leave to appear before the
commission has escaped their attention.
"The reality is that the window of opportunity will close in a few hours."
People have until May 18 to make a general submission to the commission, but the
deadline for oral submissions is Thursday.
The commission, headed by former judge Bernard Teague, was established to examine
all issues surrounding the Black Saturday fires.
For further information go to www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au