Page 3189 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 9 November 2021
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
No-one can deny the rise of social media in recent years. Social media is becoming an increasingly important source of information during disasters and other emergency events. Social media platforms are routinely used by the ACT emergency responders to communicate updates and other essential materials. Information appears on those platforms in real time, frequently preceding traditional channels such as television and radio.
For this reason, the bill amends the obligation in the act to notify the community about emergencies. The act currently obliges emergency declarations—such as declarations of a state of alert, state of emergency or total fire ban—to be broadcast on television and radio. This bill adds to that by also requiring that these emergency declarations be disseminated on social media. This change will increase community awareness about emergencies. Increasing awareness is vital, as this knowledge empowers people to make informed decisions and to take protective action during emergencies.
Another amendment through this bill relates to the employment protections provided to volunteers under the Emergencies Act. As members would appreciate, emergency services across Australia rely on highly skilled and dedicated volunteers to achieve their function of protecting and safeguarding the community. These volunteers are regularly required to provide this support and assistance during their normal working hours.
The vast majority of employers recognise the important role that these volunteers play, and support their employees to volunteer. I applaud those organisations and thank them for the support they provide to the ACT community. Unfortunately, across Australia some volunteers have been victimised at work for their volunteering commitment. This includes being fired, being moved from positions or being given unfavourable shifts.
For this reason, the Emergencies Act, like similar legislation in other jurisdictions, confers certain employment protections on volunteers that prevent those persons being victimised at work as a result of their volunteering commitment during an emergency.
Currently the employment protections in the act only apply during a state of alert or state of emergency. This bill allows for the minister to declare that the employment protections are available during other emergencies. This could include emergencies that are not at a scale to justify a state of emergency but that require an extended commitment from our volunteers.
The bill requires that any declaration be widely publicised to ensure that both employers and volunteers are aware that the protections have been activated. While I am sure that many employers in the ACT will continue to support our many wonderful emergency service volunteers, this change rightfully ensures that those volunteers, should they be victimised at work for their service, are supported.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video