Questions without notice and ministers statements
Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority
Mr DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan—Leader of the Opposition) (12:00): My question is to the Minister for Emergency Services. Minister, how much will it cost to rebrand ESTA into Triple Zero Victoria?
Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:00): I thank Mr Davis for his question. Last week when I publicly released the Ashton report I did so in conjunction with the government’s response, as appropriate, and we have accepted in principle the 20 recommendations that the Ashton report makes, because we want to ensure that we have a system to support ESTA and Triple Zero Victoria going into the future. It does include a rebrand, but as we progress that work I have not looked at costings, because I am focused completely on the here and now, and the here and now is about making sure that we have a workforce that can continue to be supported, answer calls and continue to meet the unprecedented demand. So in terms of calculating a cost for a rebrand, it is certainly not something I have been focused on. That is something that will be progressed as part of the implementation of the Ashton report. I am right now, as is the organisation, focused on delivering a service that Victorians can rely on.
Mr DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan—Leader of the Opposition) (12:01): The problem, Minister, is that people cannot rely on the service at the moment, and I ask in that context and in response to your answer: what do you say about this rebranding to the families of those that have died while waiting on hold, when instead of a new name they actually want changes that will save lives?
Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:02): Mr Davis, I would note that it is my understanding that the opposition have actually committed to the 20 recommendations in the Ashton report as well. In relation to the families, I know firsthand their experiences because I speak to them, and I continue to commit to them that the focus that I have is on the here and now, providing adequate funding and support for that workforce, including mental health support as well as additional resources, additional call takers. That is where my focus is, that is where the organisation’s focus is and that is why I would continue to say to families that I am committed to ensuring that we get this right. On the long-term plans of the Ashton review, the rebrand is not my focus at the moment. We are setting up a task force to get on with that work, but I think it is appropriate that I continue to converse with families and tell them where my attention is, where the organisation’s attention is, and that is on making sure that our call takers are answering calls as quickly as possible, working with our emergency services agencies and getting people help as soon as possible.