Page 720 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 19 March 2019
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site to put out a fire on the 12th floor of an apartment building under construction. Why did they have to do this? Because once again the aerial pumping appliance, the Bronto, was not available. The minister claims that the fact that our firies were still able to put out this fire under duress without the Bronto, having to trek 12 floors, is actually a good thing. Seriously! The minister says this is one example of how adaptive our firefighters are. What a joke! What an insult to the firies of the ACT!
Today the minister has admitted that the Bronto has been unavailable for over 16 per cent of the time in the past two years. Labor promised that, if it were re-elected, the ACT would have another Bronto, and three years later there is nothing to be seen. The Chief Minister continues to oversee a rapid expansion of apartment buildings across our city, while the emergency services minister cannot even get one Bronto on the road when it is needed.
The firefighters of the ACT deserve more information. They deserve to be treated with appropriate respect. They are strong, good-willed people. They put themselves on the line every day for our safety. But to continue to fail and to leave them to deal with a Bronto which is a lemon is clearly not good enough. I think, out of respect for those men and women who lugged extinguishers up 12 storeys to put out the recent fire on Cooyong Street, the minister should tell them when the two aerial pumpers, the new Bronto and the smaller aerial pumper, will be delivered. The chamber, I am sure, will grant leave so that the minister can give us this information now.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Sitting suspended from 12.08 to 2.00 pm.
Questions without notice
Crime—motorcycle gangs
MR COE: My question is for the Attorney-General. Attorney, how many outlaw motorcycle gangs operate in Canberra, how many members are there in each of these gangs and what is the total number of gang members in the territory?
MR RAMSAY: I thank the member for his question. Obviously, countering serious and organised crime is an absolute priority for this government. I am advised that as of 12 March there were four known outlaw motorcycle gangs operating in the ACTÂ and that the total number of members associated with the ACT chapters of these OMCGs is estimated at approximately 60 people. Further detail of the question I will take on notice.
MR COE: Attorney, if you would also take on notice if you do not have it on you: what are the names of these outlaw motorcycle gangs and are there any outlaw motorcycle gangs based in New South Wales who conduct meetings or activities in the ACT?
MR RAMSAY: In terms of the names of the particular motorcycle gangs, I will confirm those on notice following confirmation with my colleague the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and ACT Policing as at any time, noting that those
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