Emergency Services Volunteers

Dr HARVEY (Newland) (15:10): My question is to the Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Dr HARVEY: Can the minister outline to the house how the Marshall government is recognising our emergency services volunteers?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD (Gibson—Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (15:10): I thank the member for the very important question and know that the member for Newland is a very passionate advocate—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —for emergency services, particularly those in his electorate, which include Kersbrook, Paracombe and Tea Tree Gully CFS. Last Thursday, I was very proud to join His Excellency the Hon. Hieu Van Le AC and Mrs Lan Le in hosting a reception at Government House to recognise the exceptional service of our CFS and SES volunteers. I note that the shadow minister for police, emergency services and correctional services was unfortunately a late withdrawal, as he was yesterday from the police graduation. It was great to see—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —many CFS and SES volunteers from all across the state—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, members on my left and right! Minister, please do not provoke the opposition.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —at Government House to join in celebrations for the work that they do. I note that those opposite are heckling at a time we speak about our CFS and SES volunteers and the wonderful work they do. Whilst not everyone could be there for a number of reasons, we acknowledge all the people—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! I will be sending members out.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —who do an outstanding job. The Governor's afternoon soiree, if you like, at Government House was in recognition of everyone who contributes to the CFS and SES.

The Hon. L.W.K. Bignell: Gone in the summer reshuffle.

The SPEAKER: The member for Mawson can leave for half an hour.

The honourable member for Mawson having withdrawn from the chamber:

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: The volunteer efforts of all members of the CFS and SES make a more compassionate and caring society and a more caring South Australia, and we thank them for it. The afternoon was a wonderful opportunity not only to acknowledge the commitment and passion of our volunteers but also to recognise the support provided by their families.

It was great to have family members there as well because, as we speak to people, often a partner, husband or wife, might be in one of the volunteer services and they inadvertently rope in their partner to come along and help in an official or unofficial capacity. We thank them very much for the work they do and what they give back to their community. Volunteers do not do it for recognition: they do it to serve their local community and keep us safe. While those opposite may not care for that—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —on this side of the house we value it immensely. The event was one that had been far too long in the making. I hope to recognise our volunteers a lot more into the future. In the last financial year, the CFS and SES responded to approximately 15,000 incidents—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —with volunteers contributing over 525,000 hours of their own time. This is an extraordinary feat, and they should all be incredibly proud of their service to South Australia. Whilst generally operations are the focus of the work they do, I am aware of a lot of good work that is done outside the day-to-day operations and would like to take this opportunity to mention a few of the programs that have been happening.

The 2018 SES State Training Challenge, which was recently held at the former Royal Adelaide Hospital site on North Terrace, was run exceptionally well. The challenge served as a great opportunity for SES members to practise their skills in the continuous exercise over the weekend, and it was a great success. The 100^th anniversary of the creation of the Pinnaroo CFS brigade was marked on 15 September, while Salisbury CFS brigade celebrated its 75^th anniversary in October. Alford CFS members were recognised for their commitment recently, with 11 members receiving significant service medals.

I was up in Loxton when the Loxton SES, a wonderful facility, was opened in October. The education minister was with me at the Montacute CFS when they opened a new facility after 60 long years. The CFS has had a strong presence on the interstate and international stage as well, with three CFS members deployed to assist the Canadian government with fires in British Columbia. Our CFS and SES volunteers do a marvellous job, and we thank them ahead of what will be a testing few months.