EMERGENCY SERVICES —
CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS
141. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the Minister for Emergency
Services:
I refer to the recent refusal by the
Minister for Emergency Services to allow the shadow Minister for Emergency
Services to meet with marine rescue service volunteers either in person or virtually,
citing COVID considerations in an email dated 24 February.
(1) Who provided
advice to the minister that resulted in the denial of approval for the shadow
minister?
(2) Given there
appears to be no limitation on the minister and Labor backbenchers attending
non-essential voluntary events, is it the
state government's position that only members of the opposition present
a COVID risk to Department of Fire and Emergency Services volunteers and
staff?
(3) If yes to
(2), on what public health advice has the minister formed such a view?
(4) Did the
Department of Fire and Emergency Services specifically recommend to the
minister or his office that these requests be refused; and, if so, please table
the advice provided?
Hon
STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1)–(4) On
22 February 2022, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services circular
13/2022 was sent out to all volunteer brigades,
groups and units regarding key messages and protocols around COVID-19 outbreak
measures. That circular has since been rescinded by the Fire and Emergency
Services Commissioner. It is important to note that my office approved a briefing
for the member on 7 February 2022 by the FES deputy commissioner. My office
also supported the member, as the opposition spokesperson, and the Leader of the Opposition to visit an incident
control centre on 10 February and be briefed by the superintendent. These
requests require effort and resources, and I am open to considering them on a case-by-case
basis. As the Minister for Emergency Services,
my movements as the minister responsible for the portfolio are on the
advice from the FES commissioner and in consideration of operational and other
strategic priorities.