Ms. Quirk questions the Minister for Emergency Services about increasing the Local Government Grants Scheme funding, given the significant increase in the emergency services levy. The Minister acknowledges the variable support provided by local governments to volunteer bush fire brigades and promises intervention where neglect is found.

AnsweredQoN 656Legislative Assembly
Asked
20 August 2015
Portfolio
Emergency Services

QuestionView source ↗

FIREFIGHTING
RESOURCES — LOCAL GOVERNMENT GRANTS SCHEME
656. Ms M.M. QUIRK to the
Minister for Emergency Services:
I have a supplementary question. Given that the emergency
services levy has gone up over 80 per cent during the term of this government,
does the minister believe that it is time the amount given to the local government
grants scheme was also increased?

AnswerView source ↗

If we are talking about protective equipment generally for
volunteer bush fire fighters, whom I assume the member is referring to in
particular—they are the ones funded through local government; everyone
else such as volunteer fire and rescue is funded directly through the
Department of Fire and Emergency Services—they are the responsibility
of local government. The reality is that, as I have said in this place before,
some local governments do a very good job of supporting their volunteer bush
fire brigades and some local governments do an appalling job. If we find out
that they are being neglected through the role of their local government, we
will certainly intervene and ensure that firefighters are given the absolute protection they need to do the job they volunteer to do.

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