Government Radio Network

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (15:25): Supplementary: I understand the minister is a new minister, but I think he has the wrong blackspot. I am referring to mobile phone blackspots as opposed to road safety blackspots. Given that I have referred to mobile blackspots, would the minister like to reflect on my question again; that is, the Treasurer has said publicly, 'Mobile blackspots are not about emergency services response. They are two different issues.'? Does the minister agree with that statement by the Treasurer?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (15:26): I thank the Hon. Mr  Lucas for clarifying which blackspots he is referring to. Again, I am not familiar with the specific remarks that you refer to that the Treasurer has made. What I would say is that the principle source of communication that occurs for emergency services is via the radio government network.

The radio government network is one of a kind. It is a highly regarded piece of infrastructure, not just by our emergency services but by emergency services interstate. I am advised that ongoing upgrading of the radio government network to ensure that all the appropriate communications or facilities that are required by our emergency services is occurring and continues to occur, but again I am happy to familiarise myself with those specific remarks that you refer to and comment on notice.