Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2016-12-06 Daily Xml

Contents

Bushfire Preparedness

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT (15:19): Supplementary: will the minister consider extending the eligibility for the provision of Auslan interpreters to make sure it covers the announcements surrounding the commencement of the fire danger season, given that I understand an interpreter was not available for the announcement last week?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (15:20): Let me thank the honourable member for her question and acknowledge her ongoing passion for the area of Auslan interpreters during the course of emergency announcements or things regarding the emergency services sector.

The State Emergency Management Plan does specifically contemplate the use of Auslan interpreters. They are and will be made available for major or declared events to ensure that when emergency warnings need to be given to the community, those people who are hearing impaired are also able to get easy and ready access to those messages once they are in the process of being produced and delivered to the community.

The most recent media event that the Hon. Ms Vincent refers to wasn't in that category and, as such, an Auslan interpreter was not available. But I understand a whole range of information is available on the CFS website, which of course is always available to those people who are hearing impaired who are seeking the same information that all community members should be seeking to be aware of regarding having bushfire action plans in place and when and how fire bans should operate during the season.