Country Fire Service

Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (15:00): Thank you, Mr Speaker, and just for the record, I did a 17-hour shift that day, mate—a 17-hour shift. My question is to the Minister for Emergency Services. Did the minister issue a ministerial direction to the SAFECOM board to supply Mount Barker CFS brigade with two type 1 pumpers, 25 sets of structural PPE and extra structural firefighting equipment and, if so, when will he table that ministerial direction?

The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light—Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (15:01): Mr Speaker, can I just have those numbers again?

Dr McFETRIDGE: Two type 1 pumpers, 25 sets of structural PPE (personal protective equipment) and extra structural firefighting training.

The Hon. A. PICCOLO: The Mount Barker CFS has approached me, as has the member for Kavel, as a good member—

Mr Goldsworthy interjecting:

The Hon. A. PICCOLO: —about the Mount Barker CFS—you spoke to me about it earlier in the piece—about additional support and services, as did the member for Heysen raise with me the issues about Stirling CFS, etc. Both those brigades have had ongoing discussions with the CFS about getting additional support. They believe, in their opinion, that they do not have the equipment, etc., to provide the proper protection for their community, and these discussions have been going on for some time.

As a result of those discussions—and they have approached me a number of times, the first time at the Hahndorf forum and I have had two subsequent meetings with them—it was in their view—this is the CFS volunteers, who are highly regarded by the opposition, but I do note in more recent days a bit more critical of the CFS volunteers—they believe the role they play as a peri-urban CFS brigade is one which can neither compare to a rural CFS nor Metropolitan Fire Service, and they have been seeking additional support.

As a good minister, I have listened to their claims. As a good minister, I have listened to what they said and I have asked the SAFECOM board to consider their request. My understanding is that SAFECOM considered that request at its recent meeting. If you are asking, 'Did I give a direction?', that is incorrect. As you mentioned, I would be required to table that. But certainly I have indicated my support for that request, because I think the volunteers deserve it and also support our community. Now, if the Liberal Party do not wish to support the Hills community, if the Liberal Party do not wish to support the Mount Barker CFS, they should say so.

Mr PEDERICK: Point of order, Mr Speaker.

The SPEAKER: Point of order from the member for Hammond.

Mr PEDERICK: I think the minister is finished, but he is not responsible for anything that the Liberal Party thinks.

The SPEAKER: No, indeed. I uphold the point of order.