Tuesday, 5 March 2024

Western Victoria Region

Joe McCRACKEN (Western Victoria) (13:00): (713) My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, but I understand that it might be across a few different portfolios, so I am happy to accept that. It relates to the closure of the timber industry and the subsequent impact on the ability of communities – and particularly fire-affected communities that I have been in and around recently, such as Raglan, Beaufort and Buangor – to effectively use machinery that would normally be used in the timber industry to create firebreaks and those sorts of things which help impact fires. My question is: will the minister come with me to meet those communities to listen to them so they can air their concerns about the ability or lack thereof to fight fires and manage them in such a way that ensures that communities remain protected? I am happy to redirect the question to emergency services if that is the case.

Jaclyn Symes: Environment.

Joe McCRACKEN: Okay, I will direct it to the Minister for Environment. I would appreciate if the minister would meet with me and communities to talk about those matters.