EMERGENCY SERVICES FUNDING (PROTECTION OF FUNDS) AMENDMENT BILL

Introduction and First Reading

The Hon. I.F. EVANS (Davenport) (10:31): Obtained leave and introduced a bill for an act to amend the Emergency Services Funding Act 1998. Read a first time.

Second Reading

The Hon. I.F. EVANS (Davenport) (10:31): I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

There are a number of private members' matters which I know members want to get to today, so this contribution will be brief. This bill is a very simple bill. This bill prevents a government from funding compensation payments out of the emergency services fund if the CFS, or other agencies covered by the fund, are sued for negligence. The reason for my introducing this bill is that, from time to time, there are incidents, for instance, in the CFS's case, bushfires, where members of the public think the CFS has done the wrong thing and they then seek to sue the CFS. The most recent Port Lincoln fires are an example: a group of residents who were affected by the fire think they have a legal action against the CFS.

This is not to stop legal actions against the CFS. This bill does not do that: it does not stop citizens from seeking compensation from the government. This bill stops the government from paying compensation out of the levy fund. My view is that, if the CFS (or government) is found to be liable for some form of negligence and a fire results, then that payment should be out of general revenue and not out of the emergency services levy. I do not see why residents should be levied to pay compensation in those circumstances. It is a very simple bill: it needs no more explanation than that. I look forward to the support of the house in due course.

Debate adjourned on motion of Ms Geraghty.