❓ A WA parliamentary question regarding the potential takeover of local government bush fire brigades by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES), focusing on funding implications and public consultation.
AnsweredQoN 904Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
DEPARTMENT
OF FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES — BUSH FIRE BRIGADES
904. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH to
the Attorney General representing the Minister for Emergency Services:
I refer to the emergency services concept paper in which it
is stated that should the Department of Fire and Emergency Services take over
the running of local government bush fire brigades it would require an
additional $23 million annually.
(1) Does this
mean that local government authorities are subsidising the state government to
the value of $23 million?
(2) Is this an
admission that not enough money collected under the emergency services levy is
being channelled where needed?
(3) Given that
over 1 000 submissions were received and this is clearly a matter of great
public importance, will the Minister for Emergency Services publicly release
those submissions so that a full and comprehensive community debate can take
place?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
OF FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES — BUSH FIRE BRIGADES
904. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH to
the Attorney General representing the Minister for Emergency Services:
I refer to the emergency services concept paper in which it
is stated that should the Department of Fire and Emergency Services take over
the running of local government bush fire brigades it would require an
additional $23 million annually.
(1) Does this
mean that local government authorities are subsidising the state government to
the value of $23 million?
(2) Is this an
admission that not enough money collected under the emergency services levy is
being channelled where needed?
(3) Given that
over 1 000 submissions were received and this is clearly a matter of great
public importance, will the Minister for Emergency Services publicly release
those submissions so that a full and comprehensive community debate can take
place?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
On behalf of the Minister for
Emergency Services, I thank the honourable member for some notice of the
question.
The Department of Fire and Emergency
Services advises —
(1) No. This cost
would be for DFES to replicate the established structures local governments
already have in place to run the brigades in their areas.
(2)–(3) No.
(4) Those parties
who made submissions did so on the understanding they would remain
confidential. Extensive consultation has already taken place, including prior
to the release of a concept paper.
Emergency Services, I thank the honourable member for some notice of the
question.
The Department of Fire and Emergency
Services advises —
(1) No. This cost
would be for DFES to replicate the established structures local governments
already have in place to run the brigades in their areas.
(2)–(3) No.
(4) Those parties
who made submissions did so on the understanding they would remain
confidential. Extensive consultation has already taken place, including prior
to the release of a concept paper.
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