Emergency Management

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT (14:54): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking questions of the minister representing the Minister for Emergency Services regarding the accessibility of information relating to emergency management.

Leave granted.

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT: We recently celebrated the National Week of Deaf People, where we celebrate the achievements, talents and culture of deaf Australians but where we also remember the many barriers they can face. Mr President, you will be aware that following work from Dignity for Disability with the state Emergency Management Council and the emergency services minister, the State Emergency Management Plan Policies and Procedures have now been amended to ensure that Australian sign language interpreters will be employed for relevant TV broadcasts containing information about emergencies such as fire or flood. I understand that at the July 2015 Emergency Management Council meeting the Premier also deemed it desirable that Auslan interpreters be present at any live emergency or warning media coverage where the Premier, minister or a senior executive is also present.

The State Public Information and Warning Advisory Group (SPIWAG) of SEMC has been working with government agencies and service providers to develop a whole of government approach for the provision of Auslan translation services, and processes are being developed to provide contractual arrangements for the provision of the services. My questions to the minister are:

1. Can the minister guarantee that Auslan interpretation will be used for relevant broadcasts this coming fire season?

2. Can the minister provide an update as to the introduction of other measures, especially captioning, to ensure the safety of people who are deaf or hard of hearing but who do not use Auslan?

3. Can the minister provide an update as to the production and distribution of accessible information about emergency preparedness for individuals as opposed to information available once emergencies are declared?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (14:56): I thank the honourable member for her most important questions, and will refer them to the appropriate minister in the other place and bring back a response.