Tuesday, 28 July 2026

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Environment, Minister for Outdoor Recreation) (12:57): I rise to inform the house that Victoria is once again supporting our international partners in responding to significant wildfire activity in the west of the United States. Following two formal requests, Australia and New Zealand are deploying 70 highly skilled incident management and field operations specialists to assist with wildfire response efforts in the Pacific Northwest. The United States is currently at national preparedness level 5, their highest level of wildfire readiness, with 78 large fires burning across the US. In response, Victoria is proud to answer the call for assistance as part of our longstanding partnership with the United States in wildfire and emergency management.

Since 2000 Victoria and our North American partners have supported one another through numerous deployments, reflecting a strong tradition of cooperation and sharing of expertise during periods of heightened fire activity. Victoria is contributing 29 personnel to this deployment, including 24 personnel from Forest Fire Management Victoria and five members from the Country Fire Authority. Together they bring internationally recognised expertise in incident management and field operations and will play an important role in supporting the response. The Victorian contingent departed last week for a single 36-day deployment, including travel, operational duties, rest and demobilisation, before returning home to undertake a mandatory rest period. This deployment has been carefully planned to ensure Victoria maintains its emergency preparedness while supporting our international partners. International solidarity is very important for our government.

Nick McGowan interjected.

Enver ERDOGAN: On behalf of the Victorian government and on behalf of I would assume everyone in this chamber, Mr McGowan, I thank these dedicated personnel and their families for their commitment and service to not only our state but also our US allies.

Nick McGowan interjected.

Enver ERDOGAN: We wish them a safe deployment, and I look forward to welcoming them home after another successful contribution to international wildfire response.

Nick McGowan interjected.

Enver ERDOGAN: That is disgraceful, Mr McGowan.

Members interjecting.

The PRESIDENT: Order! Mr McGowan, you are about to be tipped out. I think the minister was talking up good people that do good things. As I have said before, it is really ordinary when someone is doing a members statement or similar and talking up good people doing good things that they get yelled at, and ministers statements are the same. I just ask people: if you do not respect the person across the chamber, respect the people that they are talking about.