Hon. Darren West asks about the implementation of a $2000 fuel card scheme for regional volunteer emergency service groups announced in the 2013-14 budget. The parliamentary secretary provides details on eligibility, commencement, and administration.

AnsweredQoN 829Legislative Council
Asked
19 August 2014
Portfolio
Regional Development

QuestionView source ↗

VOLUNTEER
EMERGENCY SERVICE GROUPS — FUEL CARDS
829. Hon DARREN WEST to the
parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Regional Development:
I refer to the announcement in the 2013–14 budget
that a $2 000 fuel card is to be allocated to regional volunteer emergency
service groups.
(1) How many groups have been identified as eligible for the
card?
(2) When will the scheme commence?
(3) Will the
scheme exclude groups currently under the administration of Department of Fire
and Emergency Services?
(4) What is the
distinction between emergency service groups in regional areas and those in the
metropolitan area that will not receive such support?
(5) How will the
scheme be administered to ensure accountability and transparency?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question.
(1) Current analysis indicates that
approximately 846 regional emergency service volunteer brigades, groups and
units will be eligible for the card.
(2) The scheme will commence in 2014–15.
(3) No.
(4) Regional areas of Western Australia are
as defined in part 2 of the Regional Development Commissions Act 1993. The
scheme will be funded by royalties for regions for regional volunteer emergency
service groups. The scheme is recognition that while the metropolitan area is
covered by a range of professional emergency services, regional areas rely
heavily on volunteers, who provide emergency services at great personal cost.
(5) The fuel card will be used only for the
purchase of fuel. Controls to ensure accountability and mechanisms to mitigate
the risk of misappropriation will be developed in conjunction with the chosen
fuel card provider.

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