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Australian leaders should provide solutions to bushfires, not just handshakes

At a usual Friday coffee catch-up, one of our group members mentioned in passing about his holiday home being destroyed in the wild fires that are raging in Australia at the moment.
The family beachside holiday house was empty. The house and all of its contents, which included a new table and fridge, are now gone and only memories remain.
Insurance might help cover part of the losses, but it is unlikely that my friend would rebuild the house. The fires are likely to become more common due to the changes in weather patterns and climate. The house was old, and had been primarily used for annual holidays for years - even before children and grandchildren were born.
The area might now turn into a camping ground for younger family members.
When you are safe and the fires are nowhere near you, the loss of life and property shown on TV and discussed on the radio seem distant, even unconnected to one's comfortable life. There is, of course, a feeling of sadness but the realities are not so clear.
Like most young people who grew up in a farming community, I too have contributed to fire risk reduction exercises. We used to clear breaks and reduce the fuel loads around houses by burning them before they accumulated too much material. It used to be hot, uncomfortable, and actually boring at times but it had to be done each year and it was a part of the farm routine. And, needless to say, it was also effective.
Australia needs to look at why these fires are becoming bigger and more frequent. People and leaders need to find a solution before more lives and property are lost. For now, the politicians are mostly offering words and handshakes, many of which are being refused.
- Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia