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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-09-24 Daily Xml
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FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES (REVIEW) AMENDMENT BILL

Final Stages

The House of Assembly agreed to amendments Nos 1 to 10 and 12 without any amendment and disagreed to amendment No. 11.

Consideration in committee.

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: I move:

That the council do not insist on its amendment No. 11.

This is an amendment we discussed earlier today. The effect of the amendment is to impose a six-week delay period in consideration of any regulations under part 4, divisions 7 and 8 and part 4A of the Fire and Emergency Services (Review) Amendment Bill and refer them to the Local Government Association. I understand that there have been some discussions in relation to that matter.

As I indicated when we debated this measure, it is the government's intention to consult closely with the Local Government Association in relation to the development of this bill, and we have done so, and I think that has been acknowledged by the opposition. It is just that to put that in statute does, unfortunately, add an additional delay, which could delay the process. However, I assure the committee that it is the government's intention to continue to work closely with the Local Government Association in relation to the operation of this bill and, indeed, in relation to any regulations.

The Hon. R.L. BROKENSHIRE: Given what the minister has just said, I thank those colleagues who supported the amendment, which amendment is now being requested to be disagreed to. I understand the importance of fire safety, and I foreshadow that it would be good to revisit this particular clause at a later date.

In conclusion, I would like to say that there is another very important piece of legislation that the government said it wanted through in time for the bushfire season. Some good amendments have been put forward—including provision for the Chief Officer of the CFS to go on the Native Vegetation Council—but suddenly that seems to be delayed and not so important for the bushfire season. So, whilst I support what the minister has just said, when will we see the other important legislation to protect us in the bushfire season?

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS: The opposition will not insist on the amendment. We are prepared to work cooperatively with the government, and we understand the importance of this legislation. Given that it was worked through in a reasonably tripartisan, quadruple partisan, type of way—

Members interjecting:

The CHAIRMAN: Order!

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS: —I would like to again highlight the importance of the Legislative Council. We believe that, with constructive debate, we have actually improved the legislation. A number of amendments were accepted—

Members interjecting:

The CHAIRMAN: Order!

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS: —by the government in good grace, and I appreciate that. It cannot live with this one, and the opposition is prepared to accept that. I would like to thank the Legislative Council for the way its members have worked on this measure, and I commend the bill to the council.

Motion carried.


At 18:03 the council adjourned until Tuesday 13 October 2009 at 14:15.


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