Wednesday, 11 September 2024

Ministers statements: severe weather event

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:46): I do not think anyone in the chamber or anyone in the state missed the fact that we had some pretty significant weather over the past week, forcing our emergency services into action again to keep the community safe. At the outset, sadly, three lives were lost during this period, and I of course extend my deepest sympathies to family and loved ones.

The storms caused widespread damage, but it was parts of Gippsland and southern metro that were hit the hardest. Our Victorian state emergency services received and responded to more than 10,000 requests for assistance, and it was yet another example of the quality of VICSES, who put their own lives on hold to lend a hand. This was particularly so last weekend because it was all through the night and it then meant that many were away from loved ones during Father’s Day. I would like to offer them and their families a special thankyou from all of us for their commitment to our communities. Such a coordinated response in recent weeks has been amazing, and it would not have been possible without the collaboration across agencies of CFA, FRV, Ambulance Victoria, VicPol and Forest Fire Management Victoria.

Together we also had visitors from our neighbouring states, who sent more than 25 members to support crews that obviously had been working for over a week, so being able to provide that support to them – we were immensely grateful for that. Thank you to Tim Wiebusch, chief operating officer of VICSES, and to Rick Nugent, our emergency management commissioner, who did leave his holiday early to return to the state. It just goes to show that there is never a quiet period in Victoria. But also there is Kevin Parkin from the Bureau of Meteorology and everyone at the State Control Centre and all their teams – thank you for preparing and responding to this event. Of course in approaching the high-risk weather season I thank them in advance for the work that they will do.