Page 2337 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 16 June 2009
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injected substantial additional funding into the ESA budget since 2002-03. The emergency services budget paper 4 expenditure in 2003-04 was some $38.5 million and in 2008-09 it was $86.7 million. Additionally, the government has increased funds to the land management agencies in specific areas.
With the introduction of the Emergencies Act, any uncertainty that had been previously expressed regarding command and control of operations in an emergency was clarified to ensure that the appropriately qualified chief officer or an appointed territory controller maintain autonomous decision making.
I know that many have questioned the ESA’s relocation to new purpose-built headquarters. I can confirm that the ESA’s planning for the move to Fairbairn is well advanced and progressing well, with construction of that building now well underway.
Our emergency services are much better placed than they were six years ago. The recently released report on government services 2009 shows that the ACT Fire Brigade and ACT Ambulance Service are amongst the best in the country for their response times, and the ACT Fire Brigade, again, has the highest percentage in the country for successfully containing fires to their room of origin. The Assembly, as well as the whole community I believe should be proud of the work of our emergency services.
Whilst I am confident that the ESA is well placed and improving at all times, inquiries such as this provide for a useful examination of emergency services that assists in confirming confidence in the very positive achievements of the ESA and its readiness to meet emergencies. In addition, it assists in distilling recommendations for improvements or change when warranted. I commend the response to the Assembly.
Debate (on motion by Mr Smyth) adjourned to the next sitting.
Papers
Mr Corbell presented the following papers:
Subordinate legislation (including explanatory statements unless otherwise stated)
Legislation Act, pursuant to section 64—
Animal Diseases Act—Animal Diseases (Fees) Determination 2009 (No 1)—Disallowable Instrument DI2009-78 (LR, 28 May 2009).
Animal Welfare Act—Animal Welfare (Fees) Determination 2009 (No 1)—Disallowable Instrument DI2009-79 (LR, 28 May 2009).
Children and Young People Act—Children and Young People (Official Visitor) Appointment 2009 (No 1)—Disallowable Instrument DI2009-64 (LR, 7 May 2009).
Civil Law (Sale of Residential Property) Act—Civil Law (Sale of Residential Property) Energy Efficiency Rating Guidelines Determination 2009 (No 1)—Disallowable Instrument DI2009-62 (LR, 4 May 2009).
Clinical Waste Act—Clinical Waste (Fees) Determination 2009 (No 1)—Disallowable Instrument DI2009-80 (LR, 28 May 2009).
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