Tasmanian Greens MPs

Subject of Debate

That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent a Motion of Censure in the Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, of which notice has been given this day, from being brought on for debate forthwith.

Original Motion

That this House -

1. Notes the extraordinary statements made earlier this week from Tasmanian Fire Service insiders, that the state is not prepared for the coming bushfire season.

2. Further notes these firefighters have raised concerns about the ability to staff incident management and strike teams and questions have been raised about the ability of the TFS to respond to major events.

3. Further notes comments from these insiders from the TFS that 'it is luck that is getting us by and that we will fill holes with warm bodies'.

4. Notes the concerns of TFS insiders have been matched by volunteer firefighters who are raising concerns about trucks that are broken, faulty equipment, lack of adequate resources, including essential item, like hoses and foam, and a general sense of concern about the lack of preparedness for catastrophic bushfires.

5. Notes the need for an independent capability review of the Tasmanian Fire Service.

6. Further notes the refusal of the minority Hodgman Liberal Government to commit a time line for the implementation of the recommendations from multiple fire review; and

7. Censures Mark Shelton MP, the Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management for his failure to adequately resource the fire service and his dismissal of legitimate concerns that have been raised by those at the front line.