What is the rationale for building houses majorly from wood in Australia?

Why only 1 layer of bricks? How many children should die before they will explore other options like building the entire house with bricks? Is it really that cheaper option than bricks? Why not use a cheaper brick, with a double layer walls and plaster all the houses from the outside? I was just wondering, cause it does not make sense to me. I'm sure somewhere someone must be thinking like me? In South Africa where I'm from, house are built with bricks and there are houses that burns down, but the difference is, people have a chance of being rescued and escape with their lives at least, because the whole house is not going up in flames. I understand that with the wood/brick combo, the building time is not that long, but if people's lives can be saved, why not change? The type of foundation that are being used in Australia can still be used, I think with a brick house or just reinforce it, for crying out loud!!