Emergency Services

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN (Stuart) (14:58): My question is to the Minister for Emergency Services. Will regional MFS stations with low call-out rates, such as Peterborough, be converted to CFS stations to provide savings under the minister's new model?

The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light—Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (14:58): Some of those members opposite actually attended some of the round tables and forums I held and I gave an assurance that the existing stations on the ground would carry the same identity and retain those identities on the ground.

I made it very clear, and a discussion paper (which is actually in print) reaffirms the position that the reform process is about bringing together those administration, management, training and corporate roles to obtain efficiencies and reinvesting all those savings into the front-line services. The aim of this proposal is to actually increase our presence on the ground, to support our volunteers and paid emergency services workers right across the sector, and I can reassure people that savings will be reinvested because of the way it is funded.