Page 3214 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 18 October 2006
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MR CORBELL: I answered it yesterday. Mr Stefaniak may not like the answer—you may not like the answer, Mr Seselja—but I answered the question yesterday and I have nothing further to add.
Bushfires—front-line vehicles
MR SMYTH: My question is to the minister for emergency services. Minister, in response to a question I asked of you yesterday about vehicle maintenance, you said:
… currently there are two vehicles that are unavailable because of a requirement for major suspension work, including the replacement of springs, on those vehicles.
Minister, when will those two vehicles be operational? How long has the RFS been unaware of the need for maintenance on these vehicles? How long have you been aware of the need for maintenance on these vehicles? What action have you taken to ensure that these vehicles will be operational as soon as possible?
MR CORBELL: I can advise Mr Smyth that the vehicles that are currently unavailable are Molonglo 10, Gungahlin 10 and Parks 11. They are all tankers, two of which belong to the RFS and one of which belongs to the departmental brigades of the Department of the Territory and Municipal Services. Molonglo 10 has been unavailable for approximately eight weeks. This vehicle has had suspension problems. It is currently on its way to Sydney for repair and is expected to be available by the end of this week.
Gungahlin 10 had, again, suspension problems which were identified during its response to the fire in the Namadgi National Park a couple of weeks ago. As with Molonglo 10, this vehicle is on its way to Sydney for repair and is expected to be back by the end of the week. Parks 11 has a clutch problem. It has been off the road since Friday, 13 October. The ESA workshop is currently awaiting parts. That vehicle also is expected to be back on the road later this week.
That is the status of those vehicles. I cannot advise members how long the RFS has been aware of these issues. How long have I been aware of them? I have been aware of these issues since earlier this week in relation to these specific vehicles. The maintenance of vehicles is an operational issue for the RFS and the ESA. I do not interfere in operational decisions of the ESA.
MR SMYTH: Minister, are there any light units or command vehicles that are not operational due to a lack of maintenance or that it is known now no longer comply with OH&S standards?
MR CORBELL: I am not aware of any light units which are currently unavailable. The RFS and the ESA continue to do an assessment of the safety of vehicles, given the age of some of the vehicles. That may or may not have identified issues that I am not aware of. That is my understanding of the state of play at this time.
Prison—funding
MR SESELJA: My question is to the Attorney-General and it is regarding the ACT prison. Minister, you announced this week that you would be unable to deliver the prison
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