Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2016-09-27 Daily Xml

Contents

Extreme Weather Conditions

The Hon. S.G. WADE (15:03): By way of supplementary question, given my understanding that this is forecast to be the most significant weather event in perhaps South Australia's recorded history, is it ever conceivable that we will have a declared emergency such that an Auslan interpreter might be used?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (15:03): It is difficult to predict that this will be the greatest weather event in the history of the state, but it is, nonetheless, currently forecast to be a significant weather event. Whether or not an event or an incident is declared a major emergency is a decision for the police commissioner; that decision rests with him.

Of course, if he does declare it an emergency, that will automatically activate the provision within the State Emergency Management Plan that will result in Auslan interpreters being at any bulletins, forecasts or announcements that are made. Outside of a declared emergency there is the capacity for the control agencies to engage Auslan interpreters and, as I stated, I understand that it is the intention of the chief officer of the SES to engage those services during the course of this event, as is consistent with his ability to be able to make that decision.