Dr. Steve Thomas questions the Minister for Emergency Services regarding the location announcement of the Bushfire Centre of Excellence, seemingly revealed by a union official before an official government statement, particularly concerning the Darling Range by-election timing. The Minister's response is non-committal, stating a business case is being developed.

AnsweredQoN 417Legislative Council
Asked
17 May 2018
Portfolio
Emergency Services

QuestionView source ↗

FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES — BUSHFIRE CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE
417. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the minister
representing the Minister for Emergency Services:
I refer to the
minister's announcement on 13 April of a rural fire division within the
Department of Fire and Emergency Services and the development of a Bushfire
Centre of Excellence, both of which are to be co-located, according to comments
the minister made on ABC radio at the time of the announcement and the
interview conducted this morning on radio ABC South West and Great Southern
with the state secretary of the United Firefighters Union, Lea Anderson.
(1)
Why did Ms Anderson announce that the proposed site of the new Bushfire Centre
of Excellence is to be in Darlington, which is in the Shire of Mundaring and in
the state electorate of Darling Range?
(2)
Is Ms Anderson now a spokesperson for the minister or has she simply confirmed
a poorly kept secret?
(3)
Will the minister now confirm the proposed location of the proposed Bushfire
Centre of Excellence and the rural fire division?
(4)
Will the government be making its own official announcement of the location and
will this announcement be made during the Darling Range by-election?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. The Minister for Emergency Services advises the
following.
(1)–(4) The
minister has requested the Department of Fire and Emergency Services to develop
a business case and project definition plan for the Bushfire Centre of
Excellence, including options for its location. Once complete, this will be
taken to cabinet for consideration.
Several members interjected.
The PRESIDENT : Do you want to
continue? The Leader of the Opposition has the call.

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