Between June 2019 and February 2020, various Australian states and territories were subject to large numbers of uncontrolled bushfires, mainly in the southeast of the country.
[13] By 7 January 2020, the smoke had moved approximately 11,000 kilometres (6,800 mi) across the South Pacific Ocean to Chile and Argentina.
[21] Reinforcements from all over Australia were called in to assist fighting the fires and relieve exhausted local crews in New South Wales.
[22][23] Firefighters and equipment from New Zealand, Singapore, Canada and the United States, among others, helped fight the fires, especially in New South Wales.
Politicians visiting fire impacted areas received negative responses, in particular Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
On 5 December 2019 David Littleproud, the minister for natural disasters and emergency management, announced that the House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment and Energy would conduct an inquiry into the ‘efficacy of past and current vegetation and land management policy, practice and legislation and their effect on the intensity and frequency of bushfires and subsequent risk to property, life and the environment’.
[33][34][35] On 31 January 2020, the NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian announced an independent investigation to review the causes, preparation and response to the bushfires in New South Wales.
[36] On 12 January 2020, Prime Minister Scott Morrison outlined a proposal to establish a royal commission into the bushfires.
[47] The establishment of the Royal Commission followed a constitutional grey zone by directly initiating defence force deployments, utilising a call out of the Australian Army Reserve, with Australian Defence Force personnel serving in support of state and territory response efforts, without clear rules for engagement.
[49][50] On 20 February 2020, Governor-General David Hurley issued Commonwealth letters patent appointing three commissioners and the commission's terms of reference.
[51][52] Each state was also requested to issue letters patent, or their equivalent instruments of appointment, which allow the three commissioners to conduct an inquiry into natural disaster coordination arrangements under their respective laws.