Fire and Emergency Services

The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light—Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (16:02): Earlier today, the member for Hammond, during his grievance, made a couple of assertions which I would say are incorrect. It is unfortunate—

Mr PEDERICK: Point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: He can make a ministerial statement, which is what he is doing.

Mr PEDERICK: Has he sought leave?

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Leave is sought?

The Hon. A. PICCOLO: Yes, madam.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Leave is granted, minister.

The Hon. A. PICCOLO: Thank you, Deputy Speaker. As I have mentioned, the member for Hammond made a number of assertions, during his grievance earlier today, regarding the review of the emergency services sector, which I am undertaking in response to the Holloway report, which was tabled in parliament late last year.

It is unfortunate that the member for Hammond has made a number of assertions, given that he has not attended any of the briefings I have provided or any of the round tables, so he is actually working on hearsay evidence. He could have asked the member for Goyder, the member for Mount Gambier—

Mr GARDNER: Point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: The member for Morialta has a point of order. What is your point of order?

Mr GARDNER: The convention of the house is that ministerial statements are circulated as they are being read, so I ask that this be done in this case.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I think that this is it coming down the pathway now, is it?

Mr PEDERICK: I don't think it is, Madam Deputy Speaker.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: You don't think it is.

The Hon. A. PICCOLO: Madam Deputy Speaker, the statement will follow. As I said, the member for Hammond could have asked the member for Goyder, the member for Mount Gambier or the member for Finniss, who have attended the round tables or, alternatively, a number of Liberal staffers who have also attended these forums. So, to suggest that somehow I did not consult him in the open is a pretty weak case put by him. The second point he made is that I have not consulted widely on the consultation process completed, and to give an indication of the places I have actually visited and the people I have spoken with. I have attended:

the MFS Murray Bridge;

the CFS Murray Bridge;

the SES Murray Bridge;

the SAAS Murray Bridge;

the SAAS Tailem Bend;

the CFS Tailem Bend;

the CFS Jervois (I think that is in your electorate, Member for Hammond; I think that is correct. In fact, one of the members from that CFS actually attended more than one of these forums);

the CFS Jamestown;

the MFS/SES complex in the Riverland;

the CFS Waikerie;

the CFS Napperby;

the MFS Port Pirie;

the SES Port Pirie;

the CFS Parndana;

the SES/CFS Kingscote;

the VMR at Kingscote;

the CFS Naracoorte;

CFS Group HQ at Naracoorte;

CFS/SES Mount Gambier;

MFS Mount Gambier;

CFS Ardrossan;

CFS/SES Maitland;

CFS Port Victoria;

RVCP at Port Victoria;

CFS/SES Port Lincoln; and

MFS Port Lincoln.

I have held forums in Barmera, Port Augusta, Clare, Noarlunga, Belair, Kangaroo Island, Mawson Lakes, Hahndorf, Mount Gambier, Maitland and Port Lincoln. In addition, SAFECOM HQ staff there, also CFS/SES HQ staff, MFS HQ staff, SES unit managers, also the MR Council. I have also visited the Coromandel Valley CFS, Concordia CFS, the AVCG new vessel launch, and the MFS Gawler. Through this whole process I have been engaging with the volunteer sector to discuss with them the proposed review. Regarding the other assertion that I somehow prohibited the taking of cameras, there were photographs taken by a whole range of people at these forums. They came out—

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. A. PICCOLO: I am sure there was; that is fine. I did not in any way, as asserted, try to persuade people otherwise. If members do not believe me they can ask the members who did attend, like the member for Finniss, the member for Goyder and the member for Mount Gambier. They were there; they can actually put it correctly regarding whether I did or did not. In fact, one of the pictures was taken by a journalist, because it appeared in the Port Lincoln Times this week. So to suggest that this process has not been open or transparent is just a nonsense. It is unfortunate—

Mr GARDNER: Point of order. The minister has spoken for another seven minutes since advising that copies of the ministerial statement were, in fact, on their way. I note that he is wrapping up, he is straying from his script, so I assume that what he is about to say does not form part of that ministerial statement—

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I think he has finished—

Mr GARDNER: —which I am sure is on its way now.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Are you nearly finished, minister?

Mr Pengilly: He sure is.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Member for Finniss, let us just listen to the end of the statement.

Mr GARDNER: Madam Deputy Speaker, if he has not finished—as was your suggestion—can I ask you to rule on whether the convention of the house that materials be provided is, in fact, supposed to be maintained?

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: You know it is, and I have taken him at his word that it is on its way. What can I do? If you told me something I would have to take it—

Members interjecting:

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. PICCOLO: Two things: first of all—

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I am on my feet! It has been a very exciting time for you this afternoon, but all I can say is that he has told me it is on its way and I am taking him at his word. I said I would take you at your word. He is finishing shortly, aren't you minister?

Members interjecting:

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, member for Hammond!

The Hon. A. PICCOLO: Madam Deputy Speaker, this is actually in the Hansard, it is actually on the record, so I cannot see what the fuss is. Secondly, it will be on its way.

Members interjecting:

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order!

Mr PEDERICK: Point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. The convention of the house—

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: You are right.

Mr PEDERICK: —is that if someone wants to make a ministerial statement they need to provide copies to the house.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: You are right; we have already gone through that. The minister has finished his remarks. The Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation has something to say.