Page 2315 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 12 August 2014
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MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Ms Lawder.
MS LAWDER: Minister, is it the case that only one of the four positions belonging to the fire management unit is currently filled?
MR RATTENBURY: No, that is not my advice, Ms Lawder. My advice is that four positions in the forestry and fire management unit are occupied with suitably qualified and experienced people, including all senior management positions. The TAMS brigade, of course, is one of several within the Rural Fire Service. The Rural Fire Service has a range of staff that are available to fill positions if another team member is not available.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Smyth.
MR SMYTH: Minister, in regard to the bushfire coronial inquiry recommendations, does the fire management unit have the experience and ability required to develop and implement planned fire programs in its senior management positions?
MR RATTENBURY: Given the importance of bushfire preparedness in the territory, I have sought assurances on this issue in light of significant interest in this area of TAMS, and I am assured, as I said in response to Ms Lawder’s question, that all the positions within the unit are occupied by suitably qualified and experienced people.
As I started to touch on before—and I will go into it in a bit more detail in response to Mr Smyth’s question—the Rural Fire Service has a pool of level 3 incident controllers who are called upon during periods of high fire danger to lead and direct incident management teams should they be required. TAMS is able to draw from that pool of experienced people if a team member is on leave or unavailable for other reasons.
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mr Smyth.
MR SMYTH: Minister, how many accredited level 3 incident controllers does TAMS have in its employ?
MR RATTENBURY: I will take that specific question on notice.
ACT public service—contractors
MR SMYTH: My question is for the Treasurer. Treasurer, can you confirm that ACT Shared Services has advised its contractors that they must take a 7½ per cent pay cut on contract renewals or their jobs will be advertised externally?
MR BARR: No, I cannot confirm that.
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mr Smyth.
MR SMYTH: Treasurer, will you find out if ACT Shared Services advised its contractors that they must take a 7½ per cent pay cut or their jobs will be advertised, and report back to the Assembly by close of business today?
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