Sampson Flat and Tantanoola Bushfires

The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light—Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (14:42): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. A. PICCOLO: In January two major bushfires broke out at Sampson Flat and Tantanoola. The ferocity and danger of those two bushfires have been well documented elsewhere, including in this place. I am sure that all members are grateful for the excellent work of our emergency services personnel, both paid and volunteer, during those horrible days when it looked like South Australia was facing a crisis not seen here for many, many years.

Today I would like to inform the house that the government has provided 1,500 complimentary tickets to the Clipsal 500 to be spread amongst the volunteers who provided support and helped during the Sampson Flat and Tantanoola fires. The Clipsal 500 is one of South Australia's premier sporting events, recognised around Australia as one of the best—if not the best—V8 races of the season.

This is just a small gesture of appreciation from this government to those men and women who supported and helped their communities. Whether they were CFS volunteers bravely fighting the fire or Red Cross people helping prepare lunches, everyone of them had a role to play during the bushfires. Some of the other community groups and non-government organisations which supported the effort included, amongst many others:

Kersbrook Community Sports Club;

One Tree Hill Sporting Club;

Nairne Sporting Club;

Gumeracha Football and Cricket Club;

South Australian Veterinary Emergency Management (SAVEM);

the Salvation Army;

BlazeAid;

St John; and

South Australian Ambulance Service volunteers.

There are still many organisations helping with the clean-up and providing assistance to those with destroyed and damaged homes. Yesterday I met with the CFS and the SES volunteer associations and it was agreed that the allocation and distribution of the tickets would be handled by them.

The government has had ongoing discussions with the Governor about how we can formally recognise the volunteers once the fire danger season is over. Once again, I place on record the appreciation of the government for all their efforts during these recent bushfires.