Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has highlighted the "heroism and professionalism" of the volunteer firefighters who battled last month's devastating bushfires.
Mr Turnbull arrived in Esperance this morning, first stopping in at the Esperance Fire and Emergency Services Building on Brazier Street before attending an invite-only community meeting at the Esperance Bay Yacht Club. Senator Chris Back and Member for O'Connor Rick Wilson were among those who attended the meeting.
During his visit he spoke about the the importance of improving mobile phone black spots with his government's $54 million dollar investment in telecommunications in the O'Connor electorate - $9 million of which had been appointed to the Shire of Esperance.
The Prime Minister also paid tribute to the town's fire heroes and gave condolences to the victims of last month's bushfires.
Senator Chris Back highlighted the need to continue to work towards improving the Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW)'s prescribed burning programs and maintaining of firebreaks.
Mr Turnbull said he wanted to visit the Shire first hand to pay tribute to the "heroism and professionalism" of volunteer firefighters and to acknowledge a community that had banded together in the face of catastrophic fire conditions.
"I want to convey first hand my very, very sincere condolences and sympathy on the deaths of four [members] of your community," Mr Turnbull said.
Farmer Kym Curnow, 45, Thomas Butcher, 31, from England, Anna Winther, 29, from Norway, and Julia Kohrs-Lichte, 19, from Germany were all killed in the Esperance fires three weeks ago.
The Prime Minister said he'd had practical discussions with Esperance Shire President Victoria Brown and Esperance Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service fire captain Lonica Collins about the need to improve telecommunications in the situation of a fire emergency.
"The NBN satellite service has now been launched and the satellite will be available from April [2017]. We're obviously committed to getting those services available as soon as possible," he said.
"The NBN satelite will ensure that no matter where you are in Australia, you can get very fast broadband. That's the virtue of the satellite ... Once it's operating everyone in Australia will be able to get a service and it's going to be a very good service.
"Whether it's on the terrestrial side with the mobile phone towers or the satellite side, communications will improve."
Mr Turnbull said he would be discussing with Telstra the need for improved battery life of telecommunication towers in the case of power outages.
"There's clearly a problem with towers if they only last eight hours [on reserve batteries]. We need to look at longer battery [lives] ... we have to keep on improving the technology."
In response to reports that DPaW's prescribed burning programs were inadequately managed in the lead up to the fires, Western Australian Senator Chris Back said he would continue to agitate Federal government for improved preventative burning programs to protect Australians.
"I'm one that believes we still need to do more. I think evidence down here in Esperance indicates that," Dr Back said.
"The Federal Government can have a role with the State Government [to ensure] there is adequate fire protection ... I think it's an area here in Esperance we will probably need to refocus on."
Mr Turnbull said the primary objective and duty of government was to protect the safety of the Australian people.
"We learn from every natural disaster, whether it's a fire or a flood we learn something from it so we can respond to the next one better," Mr Turnbull said.
The Prime Minster said there were few places in Australia more beautiful than Esperance and the local community had demonstrated a strength and resilience which proved to be an excellent defence in the face of natural disaster.
"Nature often humbles us with it's immense power. With planning, professionalism and technology we're able to prevent loss of life [and loss] of property.
"There is no substitute for a strong, resilient community ... that is the real spirit and the way in which we can withstand ... so compassionately in the face of the menaces nature brings."
The Prime Minister is expected to arrive in Perth later this afternoon.
