Vic: Media shut out of bushfires hearings
11 Mar 2009 6:03 PM
The media will be shut out of preliminary community consultations into the bushfire disaster .. which are due to begin next week.
Despite Premier JOHN BRUMBY promising an open inquiry that will leave no stone unturned .. the first of the investigations by the Royal Commission will be closed.
A series of consultation sessions will be held in the 12 worst affected fire areas from next week .. beginning with Myrtleford on Wednesday.
Residents directly affected by the Black Saturday firestorm have been invited to register their attendance.
But the media won't be allowed to report on proceedings.
Head of the royal commission Justice BERNARD TEAGUE says the sessions aren't formal hearings and won't be used as evidence .. but will help guide the course of the inquiry.
