Survivors barred as fire hearing begins

MELBOURNE - The first hearing of the bushfires royal commission will be held today amid complaints that many survivors will be barred from giving evidence.

A directions hearing will be held at the County Court in Melbourne, where commissioner Justice Bernard Teague will consider applications for leave to appear before the commission.

The bushfires killed 173 people and destroyed more than 2000 homes.

But hundreds of bushfire survivors and families who lost loved ones have already had their applications rejected.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has sought an explanation from the Premier's office after he was approached by a woman who had lost four relatives and was upset at being refused a voice at the commission.

Liberal MP Fran Bailey, whose federal seat of McEwen covers many of the areas worst hit on Black Saturday, said locking victims out of the proceedings was unacceptable.

"From day one they were told this was to be a very open and transparent process and now they find out they are being denied access to go and appear before the commission set up to investigate why their lives have been so terribly affected," she told ABC Radio.

Victorian Premier John Brumby promised when he announced the terms of reference on February 16 that the inquiry would be "as broad as possible so everybody can have their say".

"I think it's absolutely crucial that we undertake the highest level judicial inquiry into these bushfires, that we need to make sure no stone is left unturned, that we need to ensure every Victorian can have their say," he said.

Counsel assisting the commission Jack Rush, QC, says it is standard practice to grant leave only to those whose conduct is likely to be scrutinised.

The formal hearings, which begin on May 11, will be open to the public.

- AAP