Major Emergency Declarations

The Hon. M.C. PARNELL (15:16): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Treasurer, as Leader of the Government, a question about major emergency declarations.

Leave granted.

The Hon. M.C. PARNELL: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a major emergency declaration was made by the Governor under the Emergency Management Act 2004 on 22 March. This declaration has been extended three times since then, and it now expires at 1pm on Saturday 27 June. Previous extensions have been made fairly late in the period—at the 11^th hour I would say—before the expiry of the preceding declaration. My question of the Treasurer is: will the declaration be extended, and what notice will be given to the community in advance of that decision?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (15:16): I am happy to take that question on notice and bring back a reply. Given the fact that we are not sitting for a while, I will undertake to personally ring the honourable member with whatever advice I might be able to get so that the information may be of use to the member prior to 27 June, I think was the date that he has instanced. I do not have major carriage of this. Clearly, ministers higher up the food chain—the Minister for Health, the Attorney-General and the Premier—have pre-eminent responsibilities in relation to these issues. I am, nevertheless, involved in those sorts of discussions, whilst not being the decision-making minister.

The Hon. S.G. Wade: You write the cheques.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: I write the cheques, as my colleague says. But I will take the question on notice and undertake to give the honourable member a telephone call in relation to whatever information I can find in relation to his question.