Emergency Services AFL Match

The Hon. M. EL DANNAWI (15:19): My question is to the Minister for Emergency Services and Correctional Services. Will the minister update the council about the Emergency Services AFL match last Sunday?

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (Minister for Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Minister for Autism, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (15:19): I thank the honourable member for her question. We are incredibly proud to honour South Australian emergency services and frontline workers—those who go above and beyond to keep us safe—at the Emergency Services Match that was just held on Sunday, where we not only saw the Crows have another great win but we also were able to have a win for our emergency services.

This special game is about more than footy, it is a platform to express our deepest gratitude to the selfless emergency services agencies across our state, including the South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service, the South Australian Country Fire Service, the South Australian State Emergency Service, the South Australia Police, the South Australian Ambulance Service and the Volunteer Marine Rescue organisations. These men and women put their lives on the line every day, facing danger, adverse conditions and immense pressure to protect our communities.

This incredible event was made possible through a partnership between the Malinauskas Labor government and the Adelaide Football Club. Commencing in 2023, this partnership established a dedicated match for emergency services personnel to thank and promote the exceptional work of our emergency services agencies and recognise their positive impact on our community.

This was one of the biggest emergency services rounds that we have held—3,000 tickets were made available, but I think even more ended up being needed on the day. The lucky participants were picked from a ballot and were able to come along with a guest and enjoy this special game between the Crows and North Melbourne.

The match also presents an opportunity for exclusive access to our emergency services through engaging in interactive off-field activations. There were 38 activation points inside and outside the Adelaide Oval, with activations from all agencies encouraging football fans of all ages to ask questions and sign up as a volunteer or a potential full-time staffer and make this a career.

It has been an extremely busy period for our emergency services personnel and volunteers, supporting communities both locally and abroad. Around the country, South Australian emergency services personnel have been supporting other states. Over 200 personnel have been deployed to varying emergencies, including Western Australia, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania and, of course, back to Queensland again—twice they have been there, to help with the floods and the ex-Tropical Cyclone.

A massive shout-out to Gary Cabot, who was deployed as an SES volunteer to Queensland on the first task force for ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred and also to WA to support with the floods. Gary had the opportunity to do the coin toss at the beginning of the game in his orange uniform, showcasing just how proud we should be of our services who are deployed across our country but also when they support us here at home.

Emergency services agencies in South Australia have a strong and enduring legacy of supporting other states in their time of need. The commitment of volunteers and staff of the SES, CFS and MFS who put their lives on hold while they are being deployed—I am sure I share the appreciation of everyone in this chamber.

I want to thank the Adelaide Crows for helping us pull this incredible victory together, but also thank the people behind the scenes who make these events possible, particularly my team and May from my office.