Thursday, 7 March 2024

 Renee HEATH (Eastern Victoria) (12:55): (738) The human impact of the 13 February storms and widespread blackouts continues to reveal the inadequacy of the government’s response. There was one unnecessary tragic fatality, with a Victorian dying while their family was unable to call 000 for an ambulance due to Telstra’s inactive towers. Dale from Drouin told me that several of his neighbours are elderly and struggled alone for several days from midday on Tuesday until Sunday at 11 pm with no power, no phone services and no welfare checks from authorities. Dale has rightly asked how a First World state prone to natural disasters is not prepared with basic disaster recovery plans that involve checks on the most vulnerable citizens. Will the Minister for Emergency Services commit to reviewing Victoria’s emergency planning to ensure elderly and vulnerable Victorians are not isolated and forgotten?