Bushfires on Government Land

Mr TRELOAR (Flinders) (15:17): My question is to the Minister for Emergency Services. How does the government intend to battle bushfires on government-owned land now that CFS volunteers are indicating that they will not attend callouts to fires on government land?

The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light—Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (15:17): I thank the honourable member for his question. As the member and other members would know, government agencies have their own capacity to fight fires—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. PICCOLO: If you let me finish the answer—in addition to that, they are supplemented and supported by the CFS. That was going to be my answer—and supported by the CFS. Having said that, I have also read in a number of newspapers (including the Riverland papers) that the CFS has indicated it will fight any fire.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. PICCOLO: I said government land, for example in the Riverland—I am making the point. It is unfortunate that the Liberal Party seems keen to make sure that we don't have a safe community by trying to encourage volunteers to down tools.

Mr PENGILLY: Point of order.

The Hon. A. PICCOLO: It is absolutely appalling—

The SPEAKER: The minister will be seated.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. PICCOLO: You're disgraceful.

The SPEAKER: The minister will be seated. The member for Finniss.

Mr PENGILLY: Thank you, sir. My point of order is debate.

The SPEAKER: I uphold the point of order. The Minister for Education will leave the chamber for half an hour under the sessional order.

The honourable member for Wright having withdrawn from the chamber.

The Hon. A. PICCOLO: Just for the record, I would like to indicate that I am confident, given the goodwill we have with the CFS and other emergency service workers, that we will be able to tackle whatever we need to tackle this fire season.