Wednesday, 30 October 2024

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:49): I gave a little bit of a taster to Mr Bourman on what I was going to be talking about today, and I am delighted to continue on this topic of –

Members interjecting.

The PRESIDENT: Can you reset the clock.

Jaclyn SYMES: I am delighted to continue on the topic of VESEP grants after Mr Bourman’s question earlier, and I am delighted to update the house on how $15 million of volunteer emergency services equipment program – VESEP – grants are supporting 268 initiatives, brigades, units and flotillas across the state. I was in eastern Victoria with the Drouin fire brigade last week to announce that we are delivering –

A member interjected.

Jaclyn SYMES: they are so lovely – tankers, trailers, chainsaws, boats, snowmobiles, minor facility upgrades and a couple of big fills to local brigades as well. We know that the ongoing threat of bushfires to Victoria is real. That is why the CFA will receive more than $11 million to fund 179 initiatives, including a new command vehicle, which the Drouin brigade were very happy to hear about; new light tankers for the Wollert, Corinella, Echuca Village, Ellerslie, Greendale and Kingston brigades; and ultralight tankers for another 15 brigades across the state.

Our VICSES volunteers, as we all know, do an amazing job, working tirelessly in responding to tens of thousands of requests for assistance this year. That is why 28 units will be supported with more than $2.5 million to deliver replacement vehicles, facility upgrades and trailers. Ms Lovell, I am sure you will be interested because Mick is delighted that our investment includes $129,000 for Shepparton Search and Rescue to receive a new heavy rescue truck. Forty Life Saving Victoria clubs are sharing in almost $880,000 to make sure they have what they need to respond during the summer season, and Ms Watt will soon be making some announcements in relation to the opening of the lifesaving season. The Marine Search and Rescue flotillas, as we referred to earlier, will receive over $350,000 to keep the coast and waterways safe, including the Southern Peninsula Rescue Squad, which Mr Bourman is an advocate for.

Victoria’s emergency services volunteers do go above and beyond to protect their community. That is why I am proud to be delivering millions into the emergency services organisations to make sure they have the latest equipment to do what they do best.