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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Paul Karp Chief political correspondent

Australia ‘better prepared’ for bushfires than ahead of black summer as government considers national community service

Two firefighters spraying high pressure water to fire
Voluntary community service has been suggested as a solution to Australia’s reliance on using the defence force in response to natural disasters. Photograph: Witthaya Prasongsin/Getty Images

National community service is being considered among a suite of options to boost recruitment to fight fires, but the Australian emergency services minister has suggested service is likely to remain voluntary.

On Sunday, Murray Watt revealed that national community service, an idea championed by influential crossbench senator Jacqui Lambie, is the “sort of option is under consideration” through a home affairs department review.

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