Tuesday, 5 April 2022

Ministers statements: emergency services workers

Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (11:42): I want to take the opportunity to thank our dedicated emergency services personnel and other agencies who have done a fantastic job this summer season and acknowledge that it is coming to an end. Each year our emergency services undertake extensive work to be as prepared as possible for summer, and this is an amazing undertaking and truly a team effort. This year was no different, with significant planning and preparation not only for fires but also for floods and other emergencies. I know many of the members in this house attended briefings at the start of the season.

COVID-19 has undoubtedly made this task more challenging, but our agencies and departments have really done an incredible job of keeping on top of the issues despite the pandemic. This year we had more available aircraft, a new emergency alert platform and significant work to improve cross-border preparedness. Above-average rainfall from the La Niña weather system meant that less fires and more risk from fires and storms were what we experienced. We saw the tragic floods in New South Wales and Queensland and have been reminded of how alert we need to be in our own state—with a truly amazing response, also just this weekend in the east. I do want to take the opportunity to pay my condolences upon the sad, tragic news of a death in floodwaters having been discovered this morning.

Because of our relatively mild season and extensive preparation, our personnel have been able to recently support our friends interstate, which is a fantastic effort and I really thank those that have given up their time to go and help others. The emergency services sector across Australia does work as one in a crisis, and I am extremely proud of the 47 current personnel on deployment in New South Wales and indeed all 123 staff and volunteers who have been deployed to help since March. It is an incredible effort but one I am sure none of us are surprised by.