The establishment of the Bushfire CRC in 2003 highlighted the need to conduct more fire research and disseminate the outcomes of that research widely. The then Minister for Science, Senator the Hon Peter McGauran encouraged greater community outreach on bushfire research and approved additional funding to help the Bushfire CRC to achieve this. The Bushfire CRC Board identified the value in establishing an enduring industry and community resource and this led to the concept of the Fire Knowledge Network.