The following Question Without Notice was asked by the Hon Colin de Grussa MLC and answered today in Parliament by the Hon Stephen Dawson MLC as the Minister representing Emergency Services Minister, Hon Fran Logan MLC.
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES ACT — REVIEW
Hon COLIN de GRUSSA to the minister representing the Minister for Emergency Services:
I refer to question without notice 813, asked by me in this place on 13 August 2019, regarding the status of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services review of the three emergency services acts to create a consolidated emergency services act.
(1) What is the status and expected time line of this process?
(2) As part of this process, does the minister anticipate any changes that will increase the administrative management role of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services for the State Emergency Service or bush fire brigades?
(3) What further consultation has occurred with volunteers or key stakeholders since 13 August 2019, and can the minister please table any information relating to this consultation process?
Hon STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1)–(3) The exposure draft bill will be drafted by Parliamentary Counsel’s Office in accordance with the drafting priorities of all government legislation. The drafting of new legislation is a lengthy process and it will be some time before an exposure draft bill is released to inform and invite feedback from the people of Western Australia about the new legislation. Targeted consultation with stakeholders continues, with updates provided to volunteer advisory committees, the bushfire operations committee and state government agencies.
Consultation is conducted in accordance with cabinet-in-confidence protocols.
