Country Fire Authority funding
Ms BURNETT-WAKE (Eastern Victoria) (12:10): My question is to the Minister for Emergency Services. Minister, the CFA currently have headquarters in a building they do not own and in an area that is not a CFA response zone. The CFA also do not own the building they are housed in or the building located next door. Considering this, Minister, why is the CFA currently using taxpayer funds for the construction of a walkway between the two buildings as well as the renovations to the building opposite? Is this an appropriate use of taxpayer funds that could instead be spent on the bare necessities that CFA volunteers are screaming out for?
Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:11): I thank Ms Burnett-Wake for her question. I will be happy to receive further advice in relation to the specific location that you are talking about, because it does not spring to mind as something that I have been briefed on to the extent of your question in relation to walkways et cetera. Having said that, I think it is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds to ensure that CFA volunteers have a home. Some of those arrangements may not be permanent, but I think indeed having somewhere for people to operate out of, to come together and to encourage new memberships is certainly something that I would support. If they are inadequate facilities, then that is something that we always strive to improve, and I am always happy to receive representations on these issues. In fact I do, so I would welcome them.
Ms BURNETT-WAKE (Eastern Victoria) (12:12): Minister, what do you say to the hardworking volunteers that are having to make repairs to their own clothing because there is no budget for more, whilst your government funds renovations to a building that adds nothing to Victoria’s emergency services response?
Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:12): Whilst I welcome the inquiries, it would be much more appropriate if you were to provide me with a bit more detail, because in terms of the CFA we have just rolled out millions of dollars in new work wear. People are getting new uniforms. You are referring to repair of a uniform without any context, any detail. You have not even told me where you are talking about. If you really want an answer, if you really want action, provide me with the details, because it sounds like a pretty simple issue that I can ask the CFA to look into, give me advice on and hopefully fix. I just do not see what the purpose of your question is, because it is not really putting me in a position where I can give you a commitment to fix something when I cannot even understand what you are asking.