Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman has urged local responders who helped protect lives and property during the 2019/20 summer bushfires to apply for a National Emergency Medal.

Governor-General, His Excellency the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) has agreed that the 2019/20 bushfire event be declared a nationally-significant emergency for the purpose of the National Emergency Medal.

“That means that people who helped protect lives and property for five days during the emergency in the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury Local Government Areas (LGAs) between September 6, 2019 and February 10 of this year may be eligible for