Tuesday, 20 September 2022

Responses

Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (18:24): Tonight there have been 16 adjournment matters for ministers. One of them was directed to me. Mr Quilty’s specific action item in relation to his request is for me as minister to remove all vaccine requirements for emergency services volunteers. That is not a matter for me. That is a matter for the Minister for Health. I do not have a role in relation to that requirement. However, I am happy to acquit his adjournment if he is happy with that.

In relation to the health advice for vaccine requirements for emergency services, a lot of factors were brought into the consideration of that. Particularly in regional areas we talked through the fact that CFA volunteers and SES volunteers in particular are predominantly outside et cetera, but there are certain occasions when they have to enter vulnerable workplaces, particularly aged care facilities, when fire alarms go off and the like. There were particular examples where volunteers may go into vulnerable settings—which was one of the reasons that underpinned the health advice—is my understanding, bearing in mind again that it was not a decision for me. As Mr Quilty has correctly identified, the CFA and SES have worked with the Department of Health to ensure that some functions can continue for people that do not meet the vaccine mandates. I understand that some critical training can occur, and there are some provisions for emergency requirements where appropriate.

The advice I have from both the CFA and SES is that operationally the impact is minimal and it is not affecting their ability to protect Victorians, and as we are coming out of winter and further consideration occurs from the Department of Health and indeed the minister, they will be looking at all of those issues. I thank Mr Quilty for his adjournment matter. Hopefully I have given him an adequate response from the perspective of issues he raised. However, the specific action item that he did raise is not a matter for me.

Mr RICH-PHILLIPS (South Eastern Metropolitan) (18:27): I would just like to raise two outstanding adjournment matters if I can. The first is actually 1952 in the name of the Attorney-General, which was asked on 26 May, relating to the cabinet decision register. The second one is 2031 from 2 August for the Minister for Education, relating to technical schools. If I could have those followed up, please, Minister.

Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (18:27): I make a personal commitment to Mr Rich-Phillips to get him an answer by tomorrow.

The PRESIDENT: The house stands adjourned.

House adjourned 6.27 pm.