House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1)
2014-11-20 Daily Xml

Contents

Bushfire Preparedness

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:22): Is the minister confident that there are enough trained firefighters still on staff within the government to protect government land in the event of a large bushfire, given significant staff reductions in the DEWNR and PIRSA departments in recent years?

The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light—Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (14:22): I thank the leader for his question. I am advised that, based on current information, we have enough measures in place. However, like every season, in any major incidents we work in partnership with other states, in the same way that we as a state support other—

Ms Chapman: The rest usually come from Victoria.

The SPEAKER: The deputy leader is called to order.

The Hon. A. PICCOLO: The question is always being put to me: do we have enough resources? I am advised by the chiefs of the services that we have enough resources at this point in time. Should we have a major incident, we do what we do under national agreements: we actually seek the support of other states in the same way that we support other states. There is nothing unusual about that. That has been happening for decades.

Mr Pengilly interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Finniss is warned a second and final time.