Western Victoria Region
Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (12:55): (604) My constituency question is for the minister for environment and climate change as minister responsible for Forest Fire Management Victoria. In years of high fire risk, more than ever regional Victoria relies on the 70 lookout towers operated by Forest Fire Management Victoria. Early detection is critical, so I am alarmed to hear that questions have been raised about whether the towers will be fully crewed in the coming season. It is all the more alarming when there is a suggestion that one fire earlier this year might have been spotted from a tower which was left uncrewed. Minister, my question is specific: are fire lookout observers required to receive accredited first aid training before they are allowed to crew fires, and if so – or even if not – how has this damaging idea arisen?