Thursday, 31 October 2024

Northern Victoria Region

Wendy LOVELL (Northern Victoria) (12:50): (1209) My question is for the Minister for Emergency Services. Minister, when will you release the results of the review into emergency management volunteer consultation? Fifteen months ago I spoke in the adjournment to ask the minister to reverse her decision to abolish the volunteer consultative forum for emergency services volunteers. Abolishing the volunteer forum sent the message that the government thinks it knows best and does not need to listen to volunteers, and the minister leaving in the middle of this question shows that is right.

Harriet Shing: On a point of order, President, Ms Lovell’s assertion that the Minister for Emergency Services leaving the chamber in the course of her constituency questioned suggests a level of interest in her question is, frankly, disingenuous and unparliamentary.

The PRESIDENT: I do not think there are any rulings against commenting on someone entering or leaving the chamber. It is a bit undesirable, because people will come and leave the chamber all the time. If we have people pointing that out – it is not something that I would not frown on, but there are no rules on it, so I will ask Ms Lovell to continue.

Wendy LOVELL: Implementing the reforms to emergency management that the flood inquiry report said were necessary will require drawing on the long experience and wisdom of our emergency services volunteers. The minister finally replied in March this year, after eight months of waiting, to say that Emergency Management Victoria was leading a review into volunteer consultation. This review and its findings must be released so that emergency volunteers in my electorate can have clarity on how the government intends to engage and consult with its volunteer base in the future.