❓ Hon Adele Farina questions the disparity in pay between Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) firefighters and Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) firefighters, given DEC officers' expertise. The Minister, Hon Donna Faragher, defers part of the question and redirects the FESA-related query to the Minister for Emergency Services.
AnsweredQoN 848Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Department of Environment and Conservation — FIREFIGHTERS’ wage claim
I refer to the minister’s media statement of 5 August about sending Department of Environment and Conservation officers to British Columbia to assist in fire-fighting efforts; in particular the minister’s comments that the officers were sent because of their high standards of forest fire expertise. I also refer to the minister’s answer to question without notice 732. (1) Given the recognition that these officers possess world-standard skills that are sufficient enough to send them overseas, why is it that they are not being properly remunerated by being paid a wage comparable to what a Fire and Emergency Services Authority firefighter receives? (2) Why is it that despite the disparity in skills that the minister alluded to, no FESA officers were sent by the state government to Canada? Hon DONNA FARAGHER
I refer to the minister’s media statement of 5 August about sending Department of Environment and Conservation officers to British Columbia to assist in fire-fighting efforts; in particular the minister’s comments that the officers were sent because of their high standards of forest fire expertise. I also refer to the minister’s answer to question without notice 732. (1) Given the recognition that these officers possess world-standard skills that are sufficient enough to send them overseas, why is it that they are not being properly remunerated by being paid a wage comparable to what a Fire and Emergency Services Authority firefighter receives? (2) Why is it that despite the disparity in skills that the minister alluded to, no FESA officers were sent by the state government to Canada? Hon DONNA FARAGHER
AnswerView source ↗
I will have to take part of that question on notice. I answered a similar question from Hon Matt Benson-Lidholm in relation to this. I will take that on notice. I am happy to get back to the member tomorrow in relation to that. With respect to the reason why FESA did not go to British Columbia, I cannot answer that question for the member. The request came to my department. They were able to assist, which I think very much signifies the very good role my department plays with respect to prescribed burning and fire management. With respect to why FESA officers did not go, the member would have to ask that question of the Minister for Emergency Services. With respect to the other matters, I will get back to the member tomorrow.
(1) Given the recognition that these officers possess world-standard skills that are sufficient enough to send them overseas, why is it that they are not being properly remunerated by being paid a wage comparable to what a Fire and Emergency Services Authority firefighter receives? (2) Why is it that despite the disparity in skills that the minister alluded to, no FESA officers were sent by the state government to Canada? Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied: I will have to take part of that question on notice. I answered a similar question from Hon Matt Benson-Lidholm in relation to this. I will take that on notice. I am happy to get back to the member tomorrow in relation to that. With respect to the reason why FESA did not go to British Columbia, I cannot answer that question for the member. The request came to my department. They were able to assist, which I think very much signifies the very good role my department plays with respect to prescribed burning and fire management. With respect to why FESA officers did not go, the member would have to ask that question of the Minister for Emergency Services. With respect to the other matters, I will get back to the member tomorrow.
(2) Why is it that despite the disparity in skills that the minister alluded to, no FESA officers were sent by the state government to Canada? Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied: I will have to take part of that question on notice. I answered a similar question from Hon Matt Benson-Lidholm in relation to this. I will take that on notice. I am happy to get back to the member tomorrow in relation to that. With respect to the reason why FESA did not go to British Columbia, I cannot answer that question for the member. The request came to my department. They were able to assist, which I think very much signifies the very good role my department plays with respect to prescribed burning and fire management. With respect to why FESA officers did not go, the member would have to ask that question of the Minister for Emergency Services. With respect to the other matters, I will get back to the member tomorrow.
Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied: I will have to take part of that question on notice. I answered a similar question from Hon Matt Benson-Lidholm in relation to this. I will take that on notice. I am happy to get back to the member tomorrow in relation to that. With respect to the reason why FESA did not go to British Columbia, I cannot answer that question for the member. The request came to my department. They were able to assist, which I think very much signifies the very good role my department plays with respect to prescribed burning and fire management. With respect to why FESA officers did not go, the member would have to ask that question of the Minister for Emergency Services. With respect to the other matters, I will get back to the member tomorrow.
I will have to take part of that question on notice. I answered a similar question from Hon Matt Benson-Lidholm in relation to this. I will take that on notice. I am happy to get back to the member tomorrow in relation to that. With respect to the reason why FESA did not go to British Columbia, I cannot answer that question for the member. The request came to my department. They were able to assist, which I think very much signifies the very good role my department plays with respect to prescribed burning and fire management. With respect to why FESA officers did not go, the member would have to ask that question of the Minister for Emergency Services. With respect to the other matters, I will get back to the member tomorrow.
With respect to the reason why FESA did not go to British Columbia, I cannot answer that question for the member. The request came to my department. They were able to assist, which I think very much signifies the very good role my department plays with respect to prescribed burning and fire management. With respect to why FESA officers did not go, the member would have to ask that question of the Minister for Emergency Services. With respect to the other matters, I will get back to the member tomorrow.
(1) Given the recognition that these officers possess world-standard skills that are sufficient enough to send them overseas, why is it that they are not being properly remunerated by being paid a wage comparable to what a Fire and Emergency Services Authority firefighter receives? (2) Why is it that despite the disparity in skills that the minister alluded to, no FESA officers were sent by the state government to Canada? Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied: I will have to take part of that question on notice. I answered a similar question from Hon Matt Benson-Lidholm in relation to this. I will take that on notice. I am happy to get back to the member tomorrow in relation to that. With respect to the reason why FESA did not go to British Columbia, I cannot answer that question for the member. The request came to my department. They were able to assist, which I think very much signifies the very good role my department plays with respect to prescribed burning and fire management. With respect to why FESA officers did not go, the member would have to ask that question of the Minister for Emergency Services. With respect to the other matters, I will get back to the member tomorrow.
(2) Why is it that despite the disparity in skills that the minister alluded to, no FESA officers were sent by the state government to Canada? Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied: I will have to take part of that question on notice. I answered a similar question from Hon Matt Benson-Lidholm in relation to this. I will take that on notice. I am happy to get back to the member tomorrow in relation to that. With respect to the reason why FESA did not go to British Columbia, I cannot answer that question for the member. The request came to my department. They were able to assist, which I think very much signifies the very good role my department plays with respect to prescribed burning and fire management. With respect to why FESA officers did not go, the member would have to ask that question of the Minister for Emergency Services. With respect to the other matters, I will get back to the member tomorrow.
Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied: I will have to take part of that question on notice. I answered a similar question from Hon Matt Benson-Lidholm in relation to this. I will take that on notice. I am happy to get back to the member tomorrow in relation to that. With respect to the reason why FESA did not go to British Columbia, I cannot answer that question for the member. The request came to my department. They were able to assist, which I think very much signifies the very good role my department plays with respect to prescribed burning and fire management. With respect to why FESA officers did not go, the member would have to ask that question of the Minister for Emergency Services. With respect to the other matters, I will get back to the member tomorrow.
I will have to take part of that question on notice. I answered a similar question from Hon Matt Benson-Lidholm in relation to this. I will take that on notice. I am happy to get back to the member tomorrow in relation to that. With respect to the reason why FESA did not go to British Columbia, I cannot answer that question for the member. The request came to my department. They were able to assist, which I think very much signifies the very good role my department plays with respect to prescribed burning and fire management. With respect to why FESA officers did not go, the member would have to ask that question of the Minister for Emergency Services. With respect to the other matters, I will get back to the member tomorrow.
With respect to the reason why FESA did not go to British Columbia, I cannot answer that question for the member. The request came to my department. They were able to assist, which I think very much signifies the very good role my department plays with respect to prescribed burning and fire management. With respect to why FESA officers did not go, the member would have to ask that question of the Minister for Emergency Services. With respect to the other matters, I will get back to the member tomorrow.
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