Page 2224 - Week 06 - Thursday, 6 June 2019
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The government will purchase a new pumper for ACT Fire & Rescue, augmenting the agency’s existing vehicle replacement program. The government will help to keep our first responders safe at work by providing new structural protective clothing to firefighters, including the latest generation outer tunics and overpants.
Work will commence to establish new stations in Ms Cody’s electorate. The budget provides funds to complete due diligence and undertake preliminary design for new fire and ambulance stations in the city and the Molonglo Valley.
Through these investments in emergency services, the 2019-20 budget builds on our commitment to ensuring the safety of our community and our first responders—now and in the years to come. These investments will also help to keep our city safe from the threat of bushfires.
MS ORR: Minister, how is the government supporting bushfire preparedness?
MR GENTLEMAN: I thank Ms Orr for her interest in the safety of Canberra, particularly around bushfires. We will continue improving the ACT’s preparedness for bushfires, including by upgrading the ACT’s aerial bushfire fighting aviation fleet to include a specialist intelligence gathering enabled helicopter. Through the 2019-20 budget, we are delivering $2.2 million to contract this helicopter to enhance the early detection and suppression of bushfires in remote locations across the ACT and surrounding region. This will enable livestreaming of video and still images so that the Emergency Services Agency can accurately map fires, inform the deployment of firefighting resources and assess emerging risks.
The government is also upgrading workspaces for the ACT Rural Fire Service and ACT State Emergency Service. Through the budget the ACT Rural Fire Service volunteers and staff will benefit from upgraded workspaces, with the refurbishment of a multipurpose room at the Hume heli-base and modernised change areas for the Hall brigade through a $178,000 investment. To cater for a growing volunteer membership base, we are also investing $1.9 million to refurbish the ACT State Emergency Service Majura unit facility.
Identifying and tackling bushfires before they threaten lives or homes in Canberra’s urban areas are a critical part of our work to keep this community safe. As our city grows, we are better prepared to tackle the threat from bushfires.
Government—fees and charges
MRS DUNNE: My question is to the Treasurer. Treasurer, how many people have asked for tax concessions because they cannot keep up financially with your rates, taxes, fees and charges?
MR BARR: Asked for tax concessions? I am not quite sure that is what you mean.
Mrs Dunne: To clarify: how many people have asked for a deferment or any other means of spreading the cost of their taxes?
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