Ms McKay said good leadership was not just about responding to a crisis, it was also about showing people a way through and giving them a path to certainty and healing.

"In recent weeks, I've had the opportunity to visit fire affected communities. I've heard directly from those who have lost their homes and livelihoods, as well as many volunteer firefighters," she said.

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"In NSW right now, people are hurting, they're confused and they're angry. There are communities who feel abandoned, who feel they've been left to fend for themselves during the fires and isolated in the aftermath.

"Earlier today, even the Prime Minister indicated that while the federal government might call a royal commission into the fires, operational matters should be reviewed and investigated by the states."

Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall said a royal commission into the fires sounded about right to him, given the scale of the fires and the damage done.

"With every section 44 declared fire, it's mandated there be an inquiry," he said.

"I reckon all bases are covered. Obviously putting the things out, helping people and communities recover is, and should be, first priority though."

Ms McKay wants any inquiry into the fires to be independent from government, open for submissions and transparent, conducted by experts, not on behalf of politicians and held in those communities affected by the fires.

"It needs to answer whether NSW was ready for the bushfires, how they were handled and how we can speed up recovery and improve into the future," she said.

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