Thursday, 31 October 2024

Bushfire preparedness

Joe McCRACKEN (Western Victoria) (12:22): (721) My question is to Minister for Emergency Services. Minister, due to the closure of the timber industry the ownership of heavy machinery such as dozers, front-end loaders and graders is diminishing. During the fires in January and February this year, particularly around the Mount Cole area, firefighting efforts relied on this machinery and the skilled operators to combat the blaze. Minister, in the preparations for the upcoming fire season, are these workers still available and will your department be contacting them for assistance?

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:22): I appreciate the question, Mr McCracken, but the more comprehensive answer would come from the Minister for Environment because it is about the partnership with FFMVic and that workforce and the transition plan, and he will be in a much better place to give you details. I can answer like that, or I can refer the answer to Minister Tierney to go to Minister Dimopoulos. That way we would be able to give you a very comprehensive update on the machinery and the workforce transition package.

Members interjecting.

The PRESIDENT: The minister’s answer is that it does not fall inside her portfolio in the complete manner, compared to another minister. Therefore, Mr McCracken, do you want to rephrase and direct that to the Minister for Environment?

Joe McCracken: I am happy if you are going to pass that on to the Minister for Environment.

David Davis: On a point of order, President, the minister did not say that this was not related to her portfolio or a part of her portfolio, she actually said it would be better answered, but it may be that she could answer it to the extent that it is relevant to her portfolio, and that would be quite reasonable given that those dozers and that heavy equipment are in fact used in fire activities.

Members interjecting.

The PRESIDENT: Order! I kind of get you. You debated a little bit, but I hear what you are saying.

Harriet Shing: On the point of order, President, it was only two days ago in this place that you gave some guidance to the house about the fact that an answer to a question which indicates that there cannot be an answer provided to the question is in fact an answer to the question. On that basis Mr McCracken has also indicated that he is happy for that matter to be provided through the standing orders to the Minister for Environment to answer.

Georgie Crozier: On the point of order, President, I know Mr McCracken is trying to be helpful to the minister, but the question goes to firefighting efforts. That is a direct responsibility of the Minister for Emergency Services, and therefore –

Members interjecting.

The PRESIDENT: Order! The bottom line is an answer – and it can be an acceptable answer – can be that the majority of the responsibility for the question that has been asked is not in their remit, and then they can sit down and that is an answer. I think what the minister was trying to do was be helpful to the chamber, so rather than just doing that to Mr McCracken and sitting down and that is the end, she was saying, ‘You would be much better served if you directed the question to another minister, and then you would get a response.’ If the minister is in this chamber, you will get a response straightaway, but if the minister is not in this chamber, you will get a written response within two working days. So if Mr McCracken wants to direct the question to the Minister for Environment, there will be a follow-up. If Mr McCracken wants to direct the question to Minister Symes, I think her answer would probably stand. She believes it does not fall within her remit, and that is an answer.

Members interjecting.

The PRESIDENT: I thank everyone for their help. Now Mr McCracken is in the hot seat. Mr McCracken, how do you want your question to be addressed?

Joe McCracken: To the extent that the minister can respond to the question within the bounds of her portfolio, I am happy for her to respond, and the remainder of the question I am happy for her to pass on to the relevant minister.

The PRESIDENT: That was very impressive, but it will be one or the other. I will call the minister on the question.

Jaclyn SYMES: Mr McCracken, I was briefed recently at Summer at a Station. That invitation was extended to all members of Parliament. I am not sure if you attended; I think you did. It would have been a great opportunity to ask FFMVic officials there in relation to the provision of the equipment, because it falls within that remit. But what I can say is that at the annual Summer at a Station it was confirmed that every effort has been taken to ensure our agencies are prepared for this year’s upcoming summer season, including FFMVic and their provision and procurement of relevant equipment.

Joe McCRACKEN (Western Victoria) (12:28): Thank you, Minister, for that response. What is the backup plan if there are no heavy machinery operators – timber workers, for example – in close proximity and at short notice? Do you have a backup plan? Because they were used quite heavily in the early part of this year to combat the fires.

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:28): As with my answer to Mr McCracken’s first question, which I again confirm would have been better addressed to the Minister for Environment, I repeat that the annual Summer at a Station briefing confirmed that preparedness for this year’s fire season is complete. Our agencies stand ready to respond.