Tuesday, 3 February 2026

 Vicki WARD (Eltham – Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Natural Disaster Recovery, Minister for Equality) (17:52): I rise in respect for the incredible contributions of our emergency services this summer. On 9 January we saw catastrophic fire conditions across Victoria with over 200 ‍fires in a day, conditions like Black Saturday and Black Summer, catastrophic and extreme conditions our emergency services told us would make fires uncontrollable – over 435,000 hectares burnt, hundreds of homes destroyed, farmland turned to ash and, tragically, one life lost, Max Hobson.

In these extreme conditions we saw the best of Victorians. Volunteer and career personnel came together to protect life and property. Communities acted on the advice. Thousands made the brave and the right decision to leave. Victorians’ combined efforts saved so many lives. Our emergency services have done an extraordinary job keeping communities safe this summer, and this government will never undermine their incredible and life-saving work. Their hard work has been rewarded with the news that every single fire has now been contained.

But with bushfires increasing in frequency and intensity, the work does not end here. Every fire offers an opportunity to learn more. That is why we have announced a review of this season’s fires by the inspector-general for emergency management Dr Emily Phillips. The IGEM was established as an independent agency by a previous coalition government, yet its integrity is now undermined by the shadow minister as ‘IGEM marking his own homework’. Perhaps those opposite need to take their own advice, do some homework and recognise that the IGEM is a woman and independent.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Manager of Opposition Business, if you rise to make a point or order, I ask you not to interject before you do so.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, ministers statements are not an opportunity to attack the opposition.

The SPEAKER: I ask the minister to come back to her ministers statement without attacking the opposition.

Vicki WARD: We should not have oppositions reading straight from Donald Trump’s playbook, attacking independent authorities, spreading furphies and parodying MAGA slogans.

The SPEAKER: The minister will resume her seat. The minister has concluded her statement.