Emergency Services Levy

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:24): A supplementary: will the minister rule out a further increase to the emergency services levy in the next state budget?

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: He has already answered the question.

The Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins: No, he hasn't.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: State budget.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: State Budget. Who is answering the question? The man sitting down, not on his feet, or the minister?

The PRESIDENT: Minister, if you want to answer that question—have you answered the question or not?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (14:25): Mr President, I regret to say that I have already answered the question.

The PRESIDENT: That is all you need to say.

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS: But I am happy to repeat the fact that this government remains committed to making sure that those people who go out on the front line, put their lives in danger to protect others, that we as a government will make sure that they have all the protection they need in the form of new equipment, in any shape or form that is reasonably available, to make sure they keep themselves safe while they keep us safe. We remain committed to that. I certainly hope they take that into account when they go to the ballot box in approximately 18 months' time.