Country Fire Service

The Hon. A.L. McLACHLAN (15:05): My question is to the Minister for Emergency Services. Can the minister advise when will the CFS volunteers receive a second set of personal protective clothing, which the government has previously indicated that it would fund?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (15:05): I thank the honourable member for his important question. It is this government's policy to make sure that we adequately resource all CFS volunteers as is reasonably practicable. We are constantly in an effort to review to make sure that the appropriate equipment is at hand for those people who need it most, particularly in the event that they do face an event like a bushfire.

Upgrading PPE for our volunteers, particularly within the CFS, is always going to be an ongoing exercise. We are continuously improving the equipment that is available to them. In regard to upgrades to PPE going forward, this is something that is under active consideration about the merit and the capacity for the government to accelerate provision of PPE. As those active considerations conclude, answers or information will be provided to the public and, more importantly, CFS volunteers in due course.