SMITH REPORT

The Hon. S.G. WADE (14:37): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Emergency Services a question about the Smith report.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: In September 2005, the Smith report into the Wangary fires recommended that Emergency Services developed 'a memorandum of understanding with local government for the use and conditions of use of their plants and equipment.' On 1 August 2007, the minister advised the council that 'it is expected that an MOU between Emergency Services and local government will be in place by 31 August 2007'; that is, two years after the recommendations in the Smith report.

On 26 September this year, in answer to a question from the Hon. John Dawkins, the minister provided a progress report on the recommendations of the Smith report in which it was stated that, in relation to the memorandum of understanding, the recommendation was substantially complete, that the SAFECOM project progressed through LGA and crown law, and the expected completion prior to the FDS was 2007-08. I presume that that means fire danger season 2007-08. My questions to the minister are:

1. Has the MOU been finalised and signed by all parties?

2. If so, when was the MOU distributed to CFS brigades so that they can assess how the statewide MOU should be applied locally and whether it needs to be varied to allow for local circumstances?

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Road Safety, Minister Assisting the Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (14:39): I thank the honourable member for his questions. The CFS regional input is that councils have traditionally overwhelmingly supported the CFS locally with plant and equipment. I am certain that honourable members would know that. At a state level, SAFECOM has worked in partnership with the Local Government Association (LGA) to further simplify resource sharing arrangements in the event of emergency situations. Discussions between the LGA and SAFECOM—because we are having a sector-wide MOU—have now concluded. Shortly, I will discuss with my cabinet colleagues the preparation of an MOU. After the MOU—

The Hon. S.G. Wade interjecting:

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: I ask honourable members to remember what I started off with when speaking today, that councils have traditionally overwhelmingly supported the CFS lately with plant and equipment—

The Hon. S.G. Wade interjecting:

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: I will just remind the honourable member to go back and have a look at those words.

After the MOU has been noted by my cabinet colleagues (remember, we are having a sector-wide MOU), I will ask SAFECOM, on behalf of the SES, MFS and CFS, to begin the process of consulting with individual councils. Councils in areas that are at risk of bushfire will be approached first. The MOU will be distributed to all councils, as to be expected, by the LGA, advising them of its support. We have been negotiating for quite a few months for the document and encouraging them to sign. We are in a situation here where each local council has to sign.

The Hon. S.G. Wade interjecting:

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: We have finalised it. The CFS advised me that there were numerous fires during the season where council equipment was used. Clearly, the intent of local government is working well on the ground and that is, essentially, what is important. It is working well on the ground and in the interests of community safety: in other words, where it really does count. As I said, very shortly I will be taking the matter to my cabinet colleagues, after several months of negotiations, and then seeking LGA support (it obviously supports it) for individual councils to sign it.