AVL Technology

The Hon. S.G. WADE (15:01): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Emergency Services a question in relation to AVL technology.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: The recent Samson Flat and Pinery bushfires highlighted the importance of reliable communications with CFS appliances, particularly locating appliances. I am advised that the second round of funding for the development of automatic vehicle location technology has been stopped. I ask: will the minister ensure that the project funding proceeds to enable the fitting of AVL to CFS trucks and will the minister ensure, as a matter of priority, that AVL technology is installed on CFS appliances before the 2016-17 fire danger season?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (15:02): I thank the honourable member for his important question. Communications are absolutely essential when it comes to dealing with a bushfire situation, particularly one of the likes of Pinery that we saw very recently. This government is absolutely committed to ensuring that those volunteers who are on the ground fighting our fires are equipped with the best technology that can be reasonably afforded to ensure that their safety and communication is held in the paramount regard that we do.

With respect to the specifics of your question around AVL technology, it's a technology that I am aware of, it's a technology that does, arguably, have some good benefits to be introduced to CFS appliances. I'm happy to take your specific question on notice and come back to you with an appropriate answer in due course. What I will say is that there are a range of other technologies that go beyond AVL technology that assist in communication that this government is wholeheartedly committed to, not least of which is the radio government network, which I am advised is one of the best in the country.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS: The radio government network did experience substantial stress during the Pinery fire and the GRN, on balance, did hold up. There is room for improvement, we acknowledge, which is why this government is committed to the ongoing and increasing funding of upgrading that particular network. With respect to the AVL question, I am more than happy to take that on notice and come back with a detailed response.