The following Question Without Notice was asked on behalf of the Hon Dr Steve Thomas MLC and answered in Parliament today by Hon Stephen Dawson MLC as the Minister representing the Minister for Emergency Services, Hon Fran Logan MLA.
EMERGENCY SERVICES LEVY — REVENUE
Hon PETER COLLIER to the minister representing the Minister for Emergency Services:
My question is asked on behalf of Hon Dr Steve Thomas, who is on urgent parliamentary business.
I refer to the minister’s entry in the Government Gazette of 19 June 2020 that indicated that emergency services levy revenue for 2020–21 is expected to be around $30 million down on the previous year.
(1) Is the indicated reduction of ESL revenue due to this year’s revaluation of the gross rental value or unimproved value of properties by the WA Valuer-General?
(2) If no to (1), why is the total ESL revenue collected expected to be down?
(3) What will the impact of the reduced ESL revenue be?
(4) Will the government top up the budget of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services from the consolidated fund to compensate for the reduced ESL revenue?
(5) Will the minister guarantee that no emergency brigade or service will have a reduction in funding in 2020–21 compared with 2019–20 despite this reduction in income?
Hon STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
I thank Hon Dr Steve Thomas for some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided to me by the Minister for Emergency Services.
(1) No.
(2)–(5) The McGowan government will continue its record level of investment in emergency services and community safety. All details of the state’s emergency services funding will be released in the state budget.
