❓ A parliamentary question seeks details regarding the timing and methods of bushfire warnings issued during the Esperance bushfires. The answer declines to provide specific information due to an ongoing coronial inquiry.
AnsweredQoN 1406Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
ESPERANCE BUSHFIRES — WARNING SYSTEM
1406. Hon STEPHEN DAWSON to the Attorney
General representing the Minister for Emergency Services:
I refer to the series of fires at
Esperance last month.
(1) At what date
and time did a Department of Fire and Emergency Services officer assume control
as incident controller?
(2) At what date and time was a
bushfire ''advice'' first issued, and how was that done?
(3) At what date and time was a
bushfire ''watch and act'' first issued, and how was that done?
(4) At what date and time was a
bushfire ''emergency warning'' first issued, and how was that
done?
(5) Were SMS alert and landline
messages sent; and, if so, how many, and when did they commence?
1406. Hon STEPHEN DAWSON to the Attorney
General representing the Minister for Emergency Services:
I refer to the series of fires at
Esperance last month.
(1) At what date
and time did a Department of Fire and Emergency Services officer assume control
as incident controller?
(2) At what date and time was a
bushfire ''advice'' first issued, and how was that done?
(3) At what date and time was a
bushfire ''watch and act'' first issued, and how was that done?
(4) At what date and time was a
bushfire ''emergency warning'' first issued, and how was that
done?
(5) Were SMS alert and landline
messages sent; and, if so, how many, and when did they commence?
AnswerView source ↗
On behalf of the Minister for
Emergency Services, I thank the honourable member for some notice of this
question.
(1)–(5) The
Department of Fire and Emergency Services advises that it is understandable
that people will have questions during this difficult period. However, these
matters are subject to a coronial inquiry, and it is inappropriate to comment
on these matters at this time.
I should add that the fact that, so
far, several ministers have answered questions through their representatives
lends the lie to the whole premise of the last debate that we have had.
Several members interjected.
The PRESIDENT : Order!
Emergency Services, I thank the honourable member for some notice of this
question.
(1)–(5) The
Department of Fire and Emergency Services advises that it is understandable
that people will have questions during this difficult period. However, these
matters are subject to a coronial inquiry, and it is inappropriate to comment
on these matters at this time.
I should add that the fact that, so
far, several ministers have answered questions through their representatives
lends the lie to the whole premise of the last debate that we have had.
Several members interjected.
The PRESIDENT : Order!
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