Wednesday, 18 February 2026

 Rikkie-Lee TYRRELL (Northern Victoria) (12:25): My question is for the minister representing the Minister for Emergency Services. 9 January 2026 was declared a catastrophic fire day for many parts of Victoria. This caused all state and national forests and parks to be closed. In my region of Northern Victoria, many homeless people utilise these as places of shelter, especially along the rivers and lakes. It has been raised with my office that very little information was given to these people about where they could go to seek shelter on catastrophic fire days. This caused homeless constituents much confusion and panic when they were told they must leave the area. Minister, what are vulnerable residents without accommodation supposed to do on catastrophic fire days?

 Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Water) (12:26): I thank Ms Tyrrell for her question. This of course is a question for the Minister for Emergency Services, and I will refer that question to her for a response.

 Rikkie-Lee TYRRELL (Northern Victoria) (12:26): I thank the minister for passing that on. Catastrophic fire days are concerning enough for people with stable accommodation; for homeless people, this concern is multiplied by the lack of information available to them regarding services and places to go. With approximately 30,660 homeless people in Victoria, safety planning must be a high priority during catastrophic fire days. Minister, how do housing services and emergency services coordinate safety planning for homeless people?

 Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Water) (12:26): I thank Ms Tyrrell for her supplementary question. The fact of the matter is that there are a number of levels of government that are involved. There are local ICCs. There is a lot of preparation work that goes into the events leading into what is considered to be a catastrophic day. I am advised that right across the state on this occasion and in recent weeks it has worked really, really well. I believe that the Minister for Emergency Services will be absolutely delighted in demonstrating to you what was put in place and of course what the learnings might be as a result of what has occurred.