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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 10 Hansard (23 September) . . Page.. 3139 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

Commissioner for the Environment - Report for 1996-97.

Gungahlin Development Authority - Report and financial statements, including the Auditor-General's report for 1996-97.

Registrar of Financial Institutions - Report and financial statements, including the Auditor-General's report for 1996-97.

MR HUMPHRIES: Finally, Mr Speaker, pursuant to standing order 83A, I present an out-of-order petition, lodged by Mr Hird, from 22 citizens, relating to the sale and use of fireworks.

MR HUMPHRIES (Attorney-General and Minister for Police and Emergency Services) (3.38): Mr Speaker, for the information of members, I present the Government's response to Report No. 4 of the Standing Committee on Legal Affairs, entitled "Inquiry into the Proposed Restructuring of the ACT Emergency Services", which was presented to the Assembly on 19 June. I move:

That the Assembly takes note of the paper.

Mr Speaker, I am pleased to table that Government response. The restructuring and the co-location of the volunteer units of the Emergency Service and Bushfire Service involved evolutionary change to achieve service delivery that reflects national directions in emergency management, improves operational capability, and provides for greater sustainability and greater opportunities for the volunteers. Despite some early misgivings by some volunteers, I can report to the Assembly that the integration is working well, and I note that the committee broadly endorses the Government's restructure of the Emergency Service and the Bushfire Service.

The Government witnesses who appeared before the committee acknowledged that there was considerable concern by volunteers over the lack of consultation processes in the restructuring. I am pleased to report that there have been a number of options explored between management and the volunteers to improve consultation, and it appears that the option preferred by the volunteers is to seek their input through the Volunteer Brigade Association. That association is in the process of amending its constitution to cater for the ACTES membership. I would be happy to make a brief statement to the Assembly at a later date when the revised process is finalised.

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