Growing up, I always believed that someday I'd be able to protect not just myself but my family, friends and community. Now, as I step into adulthood, Australia is burning and my home, my animals and my loved ones are under threat. Like many across the country, I look towards our government, hoping they will invest in vital resources to safeguard our futures, yet the funds often seem misdirected. The devastation of wildfires does not discriminate; it affects every one of us.

Wildfires have become a significant threat due to the increasing frequency and intensity amplified by climate change. The lacking use of aerial firefighting resources is a nationwide concern, but there is a concrete solution: large air tankers, specialized aircraft that can drop fire retardants, helping control and extinguish massive blaze, we have 6 already but why aren’t they being deployed? Countries like the United States and Canada successfully use large air tankers to combat wildfires, significantly reducing the land area burned and the devastation caused.

In Australia, we had over 30 million hectares of land burned during the 2019-2020 fire season alone, with countless homes, businesses, and habitats destroyed. The heartbreaking loss of precious wildlife with millions of farm animals, pets and human life perishing in the flames, it highlights the urgency of better preparedness. Our current resources are stretched thin, leaving little room for error during one of the most vulnerable times of the year.

We are calling on the Australian government to allocate funds to deploy the fleet of large air tankers, even for small bushfires. This is not just an expenditure; it's an investment in our future, in our safety, and in our environment. With proper aerial support, the likelihood of effectively managing and suppressing future fires increases exponentially, reducing damage and loss.

How many tragedies must we endure before the government recognises that history continues to repeat itself, and that public funds must be directed toward essential services rather than squandered on $14 million dollars sculptures and $96.5 million dollar website “upgrade” ? Why should firefighters and volunteers be expected to risk their lives for a country that consistently fails to support them adequately, whether from the air or on the ground?

Join me in urging the government to prioritise our safety by increasing the use of large air tankers for combating wildfires across Australia. Sign this petition today and help us prepare for a safer, more secure future amidst the growing threat of climate-driven wildfires.