2017-06-22
Ms DUNN (Eastern Metropolitan) — I rise to speak on the inquiry into fire season preparedness, and members will note that there is in fact a minority report from me as well in relation to some of the findings. What is important to note is that we spent considerable time on this inquiry — longer, I think, than ever anticipated — and it broached a whole lot of areas that we probably did not anticipate in relation to the exploration of the United Firefighters UnionCountry Fire Authority enterprise agreement negotiations. I would suggest perhaps that those matters were not completely in alignment with the terms of reference of the inquiry. However, I think it was reasonable to explore those issues in relation to fire preparedness in this state because of course it is a very important issue given the fireprone nature of Victoria.
I am satisfied in terms of the evidence I heard that at no time was Victoria not prepared for fire in relation to those negotiations over the enterprise agreement. In fact I am reassured that regardless of the flux that might be going on there, at all times we were prepared for fire, and that is a relief to me and of course to all citizens of Victoria. There are a range of other matters that I am in disagreement with, particularly where the report talks about risk to community safety. My disappointment is that many of the points of the terms of reference were not explored to the fullest extent, particularly those around environmental matters, climate change and air quality.
Just briefly, I would like to thank the secretariat. When you look at the committee staff involved in this particular inquiry, we have actually had two secretaries, an acting secretary and many, many research assistants and officers helping us, so I thank them and also my fellow committee members very much for what has been a very long and extensive inquiry.