Page 2756 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 12 August 2015
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agenda for the ESA, and he should be supported by both sides in this chamber to get onto it.
In his letter to the UFU the commissioner notes that:
The amendments to the Emergency Act 2004 which strengthen the coordination of operational services during emergencies are an example of improving our operational service delivery based upon lessons learned. Significant consultation has occurred across the ESA including several meetings with your previous Secretary
I note that the secretary who penned the opening letter is no longer in the ACT; he has taken up employment elsewhere. Commissioner Lane also notes:
As you would be aware the ACT Government has previously responded to the recommendations of both the Coronial Inquiry and the Inquiry into the operational response to January 2003 bushfires in the ACT. This response led to significant changes in the ACT; the implementation of new legislation, the creation of the ESA led by a Commissioner, a complete overall of hazard reduction policy, significant improvements to operational readiness, response and coordination across all hazards as well as an unprecedented levels of funding delivered to ACT F&R. All of these changes benefit the community we serve.
Mr Smyth also made reference to the roles and functions of our chief officers. Again, I will read from a letter that went out to all colleagues signed by Conrad Barr, David Foot, Andrew Stark and Tracey Allen as heads of the respective agencies:
The letter asserts that “changes to the Emergencies Act 2004 [were] implemented against the wishes of all Chief Officers …
That was in reference to the letter from the UFU. These four chief officers said:
We reject that these changes were made against the wishes of the Chief Officers. The Chief Officers from the respective Services within ESA at the time were provided with the opportunity to respond to the draft amendments … From this consultation process, changes were made to what became the final amendments …
This letter to all colleagues across the ESA goes on to say that the chief officers:
… further reject the assertion that the re-profiling of the executive roles of People and Culture, Logistics and Governance and Risk and Planning cannot “be supported in relation to improved efficiencies and effectiveness” The positions will be progressively introduced via realignment of existing Executive positions as part of the Strategic Reform Agenda (SRA).
We also refute the assertion that the SRA is resulting in “untrained administrators adopted positions of interference and were influential in operational decision making”. ESA remains committed to ensuring the roles of Commissioner, Chief Officers, and Deputy Chief Officers continue to have the management professional and technical expertise to exercise the functions as required by the Act.
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