Page 6196 - Week 19 - Tuesday, 17 December 1991
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We all knew that the Federal Government was bound by the terms of the agreement, and it was one of the greatest beat-ups that we have had in self-government. Full credit to Mr Clack and to Mr Connolly, because it was a great and noble effort. It showed us winning over the Commonwealth at a time when morale was low, but that victory had very little basis in fact.
Mr Speaker, the final matter that I managed to cast my eye over a few moments ago relates to the Fire Brigade. It is interesting that this morning I received an answer to a question on notice that showed that we had 277 - yes, 277 - full-time employees in the ACT Fire Brigade. In Wollongong - with a land area of greater complexity and more difficult access issues than the ACT - they have 112 with - - -
Mr Connolly: Rally policy is to sack the firemen; is that right?
MR COLLAERY: I am not finished yet - with a complement of 100-plus volunteers and other auxiliaries. If the Government wants to look at the prospects of saving funds, we need to look at some more innovative ideas. When you look at the answer I have received to the question on notice, you will note that there are no part-time or casual employees of the Fire Brigade, unlike the profile of fire services elsewhere in Australia. They are all full-time fire workers in the Territory. There may be a good explanation for that. The answer may lie outside those figures I have been provided with. The figures may well relate to the Bushfire Council numbers and others. But I simply draw attention to that issue in highlighting the need for ongoing review of how best we can develop and phase in volunteer support and emergency service programs.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
PAPERS
MS FOLLETT (Chief Minister and Treasurer): Mr Speaker, for the information of members, I present the Head of Administration, ACT Government Service, annual report 1990-91.
MR CONNOLLY (Attorney-General, Minister for Housing and Community Services and Minister for Urban Services): For the information of members, I present the following 1990-91 annual reports: The Housing Trust, pursuant to section 21 of the Housing Assistance Act 1987, including financial statements of the ACT Housing Assistance Fund prepared in accordance with the determination made by the Treasurer under section 58(1) of the Audit Act 1989; the ACT freedom of information annual report pursuant to section 79 of the Freedom of Information Act 1989; and the Bruce Stadium Trust Account financial statements 1990-91, pursuant to subsection 58(3) of the Audit Act 1989.
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