Constituency questions
Polwarth electorate
Richard RIORDAN (Polwarth) (14:40): (940) My question this afternoon is to the Minister for Emergency Services in the other place, and my question to the minister involves the release today of the independent Fire Services Implementation Monitor’s report, which has identified the fact that the 140-odd seconded staff from FRV that are supporting Polwarth CFA volunteers have not been able to be filled or fulfilled through the amalgamation of the two fire services. On any given week there are some 17 vacancies of these, and at worst some weeks there are 33 vacancies. As we approach the fire season, which started this week – and we have already had a major outbreak in the Polwarth region in the Otways – Minister, can you tell the people of Polwarth, the CFA volunteers and others when you will be able to give us the solution to how we will solve the problem of not being able to fulfil these important roles in CFA management that are there to help support our volunteers and keep communities safe?