Page 3190 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 9 November 2021
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The bill makes a number of other amendments: to increase clarity on when a state of alert or state of emergency can be declared; to support the delegation of functions by the commissioner and chief officers; to improve the rules for issuing fire permits; and to improve internal governance arrangements within the ESA.
Even the best emergency management legislation and plans are of no use without the right people to operate within that framework. In introducing this bill, I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the many wonderful members of our community who work so dedicatedly to protect their fellow Canberrans. The government’s thanks goes to all the members of the Emergency Services Agency, our career firefighters, our paramedics, and our volunteers within the Rural Fire Service, community fire units or the SES.
I also wish to make special mention of the mapping and planning volunteer support team, the MAPS team, which celebrated 15 years last month. These people are supported by a range of people and agencies across the broader ACT government, such as the Parks and Conservation Service, as well as our partners in the community sector. Their sustained efforts help protect and serve the people of Canberra.
I am proud to commend this bill to the Assembly as part of our efforts in delivering a robust emergency management framework in the territory.
Debate (on motion by Mr Milligan) adjourned to the next sitting.
Standing orders—suspension
MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella—Manager of Government Business, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Industrial Relations and Workplace Safety, Minister for Planning and Land Management and Minister for Police and Emergency Services) (5.37): I move:
That so much of the standing orders be suspended to substitute Private Members’ business, notice No 6, from Ms Castley with the motion circulated by Mr Hanson concerning correspondence from Senator Seselja.
We are happy with the Canberra Liberals doing the bidding of Senator Seselja. However, it is proper that we have time to consider the motion, so let us leave this debate for Thursday afternoon.
MR HANSON (Murrumbidgee) (5.38): This is a pretty outrageous move by the government, I would have to say, Madam Speaker. It is a well-established form in this place that, when you become aware that you have misled, at the earliest opportunity you come in here and correct the record. That is the long-established form in this place. The government is essentially rejecting that long-held protocol, adherence to the standing orders—as a former Speaker, Mr Rattenbury would know this—by deferring the withdrawal of the misleading statements by Ms Cheyne and Mr Rattenbury to a debate down the track.
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