Page 2522 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 13 October 1992
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MR BERRY: This is a political question that requires a political answer. One of the things that gall the members opposite is the united Government. We are as one when it comes to dealing with the issues which the Government confronts from time to time - not like the members opposite, where sometimes we have six individual agendas. Of course, we also stay on the job when a job needs to be done. That was not the case with opposition members in recent days when the important process of the Estimates Committee was more or less abandoned by the Liberals. Mr De Domenico took off overseas, Mr Kaine had a little rest, and on at least one occasion - - -
Mr Cornwell: What about Mrs Carnell and Mr Cornwell?
MR BERRY: Well, Mr Cornwell, indeed; thank you for raising that. He even went to see, I think, one of the Federal Liberal politicians speak, instead of dealing with some Estimates Committee work, as I recall. What really galls the Liberals opposite is the unity of the Labor Government. This Government is one that is united in dealing with the issues which have arisen as a result of our budget, and we will continue to be united in dealing with those issues.
MR KAINE: I ask a supplementary question, Madam Speaker. Clearly, Minister, your support exists only on the floor. My supplementary question is: Why did you leave the room just before the vote was taken in your council meeting with which they bludgeoned Mr Connolly and censured him for the action that he was taking in this matter? Was that unity too?
MR BERRY: It is very clear that this is a political question that requires a political answer. As I said to you in my earlier answer, we are a united government, and we will continue to be united. If you want to find out all the details and to participate in the Labor Party process, I suggest that you join it.
Emergency Rescue Services
MS ELLIS: My question is directed to the Minister for Urban Services and Attorney-General. Is the Minister concerned about rivalry between the emergency services, and what action is he taking?
MR CONNOLLY: Yes, Ms Ellis, I am very concerned. Members would be aware of an incident on Sunday which received considerable publicity. It appeared from media reports that there was rivalry and that correct procedures were not followed. I required both the Chief Police Officer and the Fire Commissioner to provide me with a full written report on what happened on Sunday, which was to be on my desk by the opening of business this morning.
The result of that report was that the police clearly failed to follow procedures. There is a police standing instruction which says that when road rescue is required, or is likely to be required, the police communications room is required to advise both services - that is, it is required to advise the fire rescue unit and the police rescue unit. That failed to occur on Sunday afternoon. The Acting Chief Police Officer, Mr Stoll, has accepted on the chin the fact that his service failed to comply with guidelines. He has given me an assurance that that will not recur. He has taken it upon himself to deal, within internal police procedures, with those persons who clearly disobeyed the written instruction that the fire service be advised. There was a failure to follow procedures. That has been remedied by swift government action.
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