Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority
Mr DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan—Leader of the Opposition) (11:52): My question is for the Minister for Emergency Services. Minister, when did you become aware of the legal actions against ESTA, and will the government behave as a model litigant in this legal action brought by families who have lost loved ones due to the failings of ESTA, an organisation you administer?
Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (11:53): Mr Davis, I became aware yesterday. In relation to these matters, as I have said on numerous occasions, my thoughts are always with anybody who has lost a loved one under any conditions, but I think in emergency situations we know they are doubly traumatic and often unexpected. Of course everything I continue to advocate for, everything that I continue to work hard for, is about putting ESTA in the best possible position to provide a service that they can be proud of for every Victorian and that every Victorian can rely on. As you know, there has been $360 million invested since I came into this portfolio in this regard.
Legal cases will run their course, but coming back to a similar answer to one which I gave Ms Lovell, it is extremely inappropriate for me to pre-empt any of the existing investigations as the inspector-general for emergency management is looking at these matters. As I have continued to say, only the coroner can attribute a cause of death or injury in relation to some of these cases that I know are being looked at. In relation to the substance of your question, yes, we are bound by guidelines that require us to act as model litigants, and it would be absolutely my intention to ensure that anybody participating in any legal action does so, particularly given the remit of my portfolio responsibilities. As both the Attorney-General and the Minister for Emergency Services, I am probably more across these issues than many, so that would be certainly something that I would commit to, Mr Davis.
Mr DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan—Leader of the Opposition) (11:55): I welcome the fact that the minister has committed to act as a model litigant in this matter. I ask also: is it a fact that the Andrews Labor government has spent up to $50 000 in defending this action? If this is not correct, how much has been spent to date?
Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (11:55): Mr Davis, there is no action yet, so I do not know how to answer your question.