Bushfire Royal Commission into Australia's harrowing 'Black Summer' begins in Canberra

The chair of Australia's Bushfire Royal Commission has extended his sympathy to the families of 33 people who died during Australia's disastrous "Black Summer" and says the harrowing season will linger in the national psyche.

Retired Air Chief Marshall Mark Binskin formally opened the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements in an online hearing from Canberra today.

In addition to the loss of life, more than 10 million hectares burnt across Australia and 3,000 homes and 7,000 outbuildings were destroyed during the 2019/20 bushfire season.

Millions of native plants and animals perished, along with 80,000 head of livestock.