Metropolitan Fire Service

Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (14:19): My question is to the Minister for Emergency Services. Considering the chief of the MFS resigned in the middle of last year, when will the minister get around to making an appointment for chief of the MFS?

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: Point of order: it might be admissible in the Legislative Council; it is not acceptable in the House of Assembly to introduce information before the question.

The SPEAKER: Because the Leader of the Opposition was allegedly introducing a fact given that something happened—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Yes, it's a gentle breach. I will give the leader one more opportunity and then I will move to the member for Davenport.

Mr MALINAUSKAS: Thanks, Mr Speaker. My question is to the Minister for Emergency Services. When will the minister finally make an appointment to the role of Chief Officer of the MFS?

The SPEAKER: That question is in order. Minister.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD (Gibson—Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:20): I thank the member for the question. I do want to be really careful here because we were both at the retirement event for the outgoing MFS chief, who is a wonderful person. I didn't work with him for very long. He did leave for health reasons, as the member on the other side knows, so I won't go into the personal details of that, but it was—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Elizabeth is called to order. The member for Lee is warned.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —a sudden announcement. We did put the deputy chief in place for an interim period—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —for an interim period, yes—to give him an opportunity to get his feet under the desk and have a go, very happy and proud, and he has done a wonderful job. We have that job out to tender. It is going through the appropriate application process—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —and we will let you know as soon as the appointment is made.

Mr Hughes interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Giles can leave for 25 minutes under 137A. He has been at it for the first 17 minutes.

The honourable member for Giles having withdrawn from the chamber:

The SPEAKER: The member for Davenport has the call.