PETmON Thursday, 20 October 1994 COUNCIL 623 Thursday, 20 October 1994 APPROPRIATION (1994-95, No. 1) BILL and BUDGET PAPERS, 1994-95 Debate resumed from 19 October; motion of Hon. R. M. HALLAM (Minister for Regional The ACTING PRESIDENT (Hon. D. M. Evans) Development) and Hon. R. M. HALLAM's motion: took the chair at 10.02 a.m. and read the prayer. lbat the Council take note of the budget papers, PETITION 1994-95. Sexual discrimination Hon. B. T. PULLEN (Melbourne) - In responding to the budget I shall direct attention to Hon. G. P. CONNARD (Higinbotham) presented a the impact it has had on the environment in this petition from certain citizens of Victoria praying state. The budget does not assist the trend that had that the Council move to protect the human rights been taking place with the building of the relevant of lesbian and gay constituents and citizens by departments and agencies to protect the amending the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 to environment and natural resources in the state. prohibit discrimination on the grounds of a person's sexuality. (114 signatures) I shall examine the key figures for the resources that are made available to the Department of Laid on table. Conservation and Natural Resources. At page 106 of Budget Paper No. 3 not only is there a Significant PARLIAMENTARY REPORTS decrease in wages and salaries available to provide the on-ground and overall resources the department Hon. R. I. KNOWLES (Minister for Housing) requires to carry out its work, but the total resources presented reports for year 1993-94 of: have also decreased. In 1993-94 the department had available to it $76.986 million to carry out works on Department of the Legislative Council; such important issues as Landcare and the management of fire, the national parks system, Department of the Parliamenury Library; and fisheries and basic natural resources in this state. It is no wonder that country people, who are close to Department of Victorian Parliamentary Debates. these issues, are feeling the lack of support they had enjoyed over 10 years. Laid on table. In 1994-95 it is estimated that only $74.425 million AUDITOR-GENERAL will be available; in 1995-96, a further reduction to $70.868 million; 1996-97, a further reduction to Finance statement $68.907 million; and for 1997-98, a further reduction to $67.493 million. The budget makes no allowance The Clerk presented report of Auditor-General on for inflation; they are the actual figures. finance statement 1993-94. Those who are charged with trying to improve and Laid on table. return some of the land to a sustainable level feel no joy when they see such figures. It underlines what Ordered to be printed. they are finding out on the ground: that farmers and people in Landcare groups who formerly could PAPER approach departmental staff and go to field days and other events where they could obtain from the Laid on table by Oerk: department the expertise, specialised equipment and the proper training necessary to use that equipment Members of Parliament (Register of Interests) Act to address their problems with pests, rabbits, vermin 1978 - Cumulative Summary of returns, September and weeds, have found that that expertise is now not 1994. available. It is not only because the depots are closing and rationalisation is taking place, but also because no people are available. APPROPRIATION (1994-95, No. 1) BILL and BUDGET PAPERS, 1994-95 624 COUNCIL Thursday. 20 October 1994 What is the ministers' response to that? They talk By contrast, the Western Australia government has about a Good Neighbour program. Basically it is a recognised the state of the season and has provided shift of resources from people who are trained and funds of $300 000 for fire protection because of the employed to do the work to volunteers. I know both anticipated fire season. But what do we have in ministers trumpeted the idea that they are working Victoria? We have a steady decline in resources. with the community, but at the same time they are Forest services have experienced cuts this year. withdrawing resources from the community. Wages have been reduced from $13.292 million to $12.918 million. This seems ridiculous, considering I support - it would be a bipartisan pOSition in this the acute fire-risk situation arising this year. Tinder house - the cooperative work between the dry areas of Victoria are being put at risk because Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the government is not prOViding the resources to farmers and the rural community. There are many carry out fuel reduction burning and the preparation pluses for everybody in having a cooperative necessary to prevent fires from occurring. approach, and certain resources should be provided to people in Landcare groups and those who are We do not have trained people to handle the prepared to make an effort outside the department. I situation because the government has reduced the supported that proposition, as did Labor. resources. What is worse is that the government has Nevertheless, it is an entirely different proposition reduced resources generally in the department so from saying that providing small grants to groups, that there are fewer people who can assist in an whether they be catchment groups or Landcare emergency situation to fill that role. groups, is a substitute for providing the general resources of the department. Such a proposition As I said, there has been a reduction in funds for would put us at incredible risk. training. Victoria could always claim with pride that it had extremely skilled firefighters and an advanced I believe honourable members who represent approach to firefighting by the use of early strike country electorates should heed what I am about to teams. Victoria has enjoyed an advanced, say today, and I shall put it on the record, progreSSive approach to firefighting. Snuffing out a deliberately and in detail. It is this: I believe the fire as early as possible, before it gets out of control government and its two ministers whose portfolios with the wind behind allowing it to establish itself, cover this matter have put themselves in a very is the most effective way. dangerous position this year. They have allowed the resources that Victoria needs to handle forest fires to The people participating in fire fighting exercises are run down to such an extent that they could be trained to be lowered by helicopters and dropped responsible both for loss of forest and loss of life. into the scene of a fire. It is no role for amateurs. They have to be extremely active and effective and The department is extremely anxious about the they have to support each other. Then, in cases of situation. The conditions this season are already well emergency, they have to be able to withdraw from advanced; in East Gippsland we are approaching a the area, without necessarily having a back-up or high-fire risk status. The targets for fuel reduction tracks. It requires a highly trained and motivated burning have revealed that the conditions are work force. probably the worst in recent history. The department's officers who are involved are I point out that in the past people from other parts of extremely nervous about the situation. Added to this the world have observed our fire fighting we know that a number of key people involved in department. In California and other fire-prone areas fighting forest fires are experiencing pressure from of the world the techniques that have been the reduction of resources in their department. Some developed by our department are seen to be better officers have taken packages and left, and have not than a mass response with firefighters trying to stop been replaced. a fire front. I imagine that some honourable members who represent country areas appreciate The level of responsibility for firefighting has been the difficulties. When you have fires advancing onto decreased in the department. The level of attention your property, you do your best, and it is usually at has decreased, and panic mechanisms are going out a time when there are lots of fires around the area, putting everybody on an alert. It is truly a desperate and you find yourself dealing with a very difficult situation because the lack of resources and situation. Everyone hopes to bring it under control last-minute efforts are not satisfactory. before it spreads further, and that is why it is important to look at the resources available. APPROPRIATION (1994-95, No. 1) BILL and BUDGET PAPERS, 1994-95 Thursday. 20 October 1994 COUNCIL 625 At the moment it is very much a remedial situation, happening in other portfolios. I point out that I do so we have to expect a lot of damage because the have a lot of contacts with government departments, current resources cannot handle the whole area. It is and the fear is endemic, which is not a good thing. actually quite serious, and I believe honourable members who represent country electorates The point I am making is a serious one. Resources appreciate it is a matter of concern to lose that have been allowed to decline in areas which are expertise in the department and not have the absolutely vital and which could have an effect on resources to build it up again. As I said it places this people's livelihood and on their lives in certain state at risk at any time. circumstances. The reduction in resources across the department, as exhibited by these budget With this year's season, it would be nothing less documents, is indeed serious.