Country Fire Authority funding
Georgie CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (12:16): My question is to the Treasurer. Due to this government’s budget cutbacks and a shortage of specialist code 1 driving instructors, the CFA has dropped the requirement for the national qualification for driving code 1 – lights and sirens – which previously required firefighters to undergo a formal course with exams and practical driving tests. This has now been replaced with a simple short online quiz and verbal tick-off. As the former Minister for Emergency Services, the Treasurer will be aware of the consequences of inadequate training and understand that these budget cuts are dangerous to the support of our frontline CFA firefighters. So I ask: will the Treasurer immediately intervene and see that these dangerous budget cuts are immediately reversed?
The PRESIDENT: I feel that would be a matter for the Minister for Emergency Services.
Georgie Crozier: On a point of order, President, I was trying to explain to the house that as the former minister for this area, she would understand the nature of it. So my question is: will the Treasurer intervene to reverse these dangerous budget cuts?
The PRESIDENT: I think it is irrelevant what former portfolio the minister held. I will put the question to the Treasurer, and she will answer as she sees fit.
Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:18): I thank Ms Crozier for her question and indeed her interest in the CFA. She purports to be a champion of the CFA, and I am sure she would appreciate the facts. There are no cuts to CFA. I can answer that in my capacity as Treasurer. What I can confirm is that due to the ESVF, we are supporting a sustainable funding model for our emergency services. Every single dollar raised from the ESVF goes to emergency services. This is in stark contrast to those that have promised to scrap a levy that will go to our emergency services, in addition to other promises which equate to $11.1 billion, which can only be filled in the event of a change of government by cuts to frontline services. That is when you will see cuts to the CFA.
Georgie CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (12:19): I agree with Ms Bath: nobody believes that. Treasurer, budget cuts to the CFA means the course and examination required for nationally recognised and mandatory qualification to drive under lights and sirens have been quietly replaced in Victoria with a simple online video quiz that is not recognised by other states. Will the Treasurer avoid becoming a ‘Lady Macbeth’ and immediately intervene to ensure that the CFA has the necessary funding to properly train and accredit firefighters, who must undertake the high-risk requirement of driving under lights and sirens? Simple question: will you or won’t you?
The PRESIDENT: I am sorry, I am a bit confused about what the question was. I am just going to ask you to rephrase the question.
Members interjecting.
The PRESIDENT: Order! Ms Crozier is going to rephrase the question and we are all going to get on with our lives.
Georgie CROZIER: The minister did not answer my substantive in a very simple way. I am just asking her again: will she guarantee that the necessary funding is there to properly train and accredit firefighters to undertake this high-risk requirement of driving under lights and sirens to prevent any unnecessary, dangerous situations in this for our firefighters.