Emergency warning system
Ann-Marie HERMANS (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:35): (240) My question is to the Minister for Emergency Services. Given the royal commission into the Black Saturday bushfires made several recommendations, including recommendations around communication, have those recommendations been implemented and have they contributed to improvements for liaison between the various telecommunication carriers regarding EMV alerts?
Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:36): I thank Mrs Hermans for her question. It is a very broad question. It would be easier for me to respond to an example of a specific recommendation that you are particularly interested in, because there are a range of advancements and changes in communications both at the state level and more importantly at the national level. There is now an agreed framework of risk assessment and communications for various responses. You would recognise that the coloured arc is now a national approach, which is really good for our border communities, for example, so emergency alerts are much more streamlined across the nation. In relation to the carriage, the channels and the like, that is a matter that NEMMM is currently prosecuting. There was an issue with the former federal government selling off a channel that would have been more appropriately used for communications for emergency services, and that is a matter that the new federal government is taking seriously. It is on the agenda for next week I think NEMMM is, so I will be able to give you an update in relation to the national approach after that meeting.
Ann-Marie HERMANS (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:37): I thank the minister for the response. We are looking forward to getting an update. That will be great. Thank you very much. Minister, the latest IGEM report states –
Jaclyn Symes: Which report? Sorry, which one?
Ann-Marie HERMANS: The latest one, the most recent IGEM report:
Other initiatives such as installing back-up telecommunication sites and planning for future emergencies through emergency evacuation exercises are necessary advances in future-proofing our communities for emergencies and building community resilience.
So I ask: could you provide an update on the backup telecommunications sites?
Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:38): It is a little unclear the specific information that Mrs Hermans is requesting, but I am more than happy to take that on notice and get back to her. The title of the report would probably be a good indication. It is information that I am more than happy to obtain. It is not something that I have in my folder available, so I will get her –
Ann-Marie Hermans: On a point of order, President, it was not difficult to look up the date. The date of the report is 20 July 2023. That is the most recent report, the IGEM report.
The PRESIDENT: There is no point of order. The minister has offered to take the supplementary question on notice for further detail within the standing orders.