Friday, 14 November 2025

 Danny O’BRIEN (Gippsland South) (14:42): My question is to the Minister for Environment: will the 350 faulty forest fire management vehicles be back on line before fire restrictions are expanded on Sunday night?

 Steve DIMOPOULOS (Oakleigh – Minister for Environment, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Minister for Outdoor Recreation) (14:43): I thank the member for his question. What the Victorian community want to know and what this house needs to know is that Forest Fire Management Victoria are fully prepared to fight fires. They have all the resources they need to fight fires. They have worked hard all year to prepare for bushfire season because it will be a difficult season. I could not be prouder of the work of those men and women – in preparation all year round – and they have all the resources they need to keep us safe.

Danny O’Brien: On a point of order, Speaker, on the question of relevance, the question was very straightforward.

The SPEAKER: The minister has concluded his answer.

 Danny O’BRIEN (Gippsland South) (14:44): How many of the faulty forest fire management appliances have already been written off?

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Member for South-West Coast, would you like to answer the question? Leader of the Opposition, you are reflecting on the Chair.

 Steve DIMOPOULOS (Oakleigh – Minister for Environment, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Minister for Outdoor Recreation) (14:44): I thank the member for the additional opportunity to confirm to the Victorian community and to the house that Forest Fire Management Victoria have all the resources they need to fight bushfires, resources including the fleet –

Tim Bull: On a point of order, Speaker, relating to relevance, the minister’s own departmental staff want to know the answer to these questions.

The SPEAKER: The minister was being relevant to the question.

Steve DIMOPOULOS: Of course I was relevant, because preparation includes the fleet. Forest Fire Management Victoria are fully prepared to fight fires, and I take my advice from the chief fire officer, who has attested that we are fully prepared for bushfire season. God forbid the $11 billion black hole –

Danny O’Brien: On a point of order, Speaker, again on the question of relevance, this was not about the preparation. This was very clearly about how many of these appliances have already been written off.

The SPEAKER: The minister has concluded his answer.