Country Fire Authority
Melina BATH (Eastern Victoria) (12:17): My question is to the Minister for Emergency Services. On the cusp of what is forecast to be an above-average fire risk season, CFA captains in East Gippsland have received advice:
[QUOTE AWAITING VERIFICATION]
Due to further ongoing staffing issues, the district office may be closed temporarily at times over the next few weeks. The phones may be diverted to another district. If you see to see someone in the office, I advise to please try to make an appointment to see them as the front door may be locked. I understand this may cause some difficulties. However, the issues are out of our hands and cannot be resolved in the short term.
Minister, why have you gutted our fire services to the level that district offices are closed, doors are locked and phones diverted?
Members interjecting.
Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:18): I will acknowledge Minister Shing’s interjection, but I will not seek to politicise this answer, because I think that the way you framed it is that you have attempted to do so. I will make inquiries in relation to the specific district office. I can confirm that it is not due to any budgetary issues that I am aware of that would mean that there are vacancies. I will find out what is going on in that particular region, and I will provide you with that advice.
Melina BATH (Eastern Victoria) (12:18): I thank the minister for her response. Minister, can you guarantee the people of East Gippsland, one of the most fire-prone regions in the world, that their local CFA office will be open and fully staffed now until the end of the fire season?
Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:19): Ms Bath, as I have committed to getting you some further advice in relation to the staffing allocations at CFA, I would remind you that I will receive that advice from CFA. I do not direct the operations of deployment of staff to any part of the state. However, I can confirm that CFA, in conjunction with their emergency services partners, assess risk to communities in identifying the deployment of personnel, resources et cetera, and particularly responding to high-risk days and the like, they mobilise their teams and move people around the state. So in relation to preparedness and the ability to respond to risk, I have full confidence in our fire agencies in that regard.