Jason Wood (La Trobe, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Justice and Public Security) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister explain to the Dandenong Ranges school community that, in the event of a bushfire, schools will have no fire bunkers, many will only have minor upgrades to fire shelters and, I am informed, no school will be equipped with an external sprinkler system?

Kevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable member for his question. The honourable member will be fully aware of the fact that he is actually meeting with the Attorney-General at 3.30 on this very matter. I would have thought it was better to prosecute the conclusion of those discussions with the minister on the basis of the correspondence which has already occurred between the minister and the honourable member to bring this to a satisfactory conclusion. Our concern, like all members in this place, is to do whatever is physically possible to support safety and security in communities across Australia, but I would draw your attention to the fact that a meeting is supposed to occur in 15 minutes.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The Prime Minister has concluded. The member for La Trobe.

Jason Wood (La Trobe, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Justice and Public Security) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We actually tried to have a meeting with the Prime Minister.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Does the member for La Trobe have a point of order?

Jason Wood (La Trobe, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Justice and Public Security) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The point of order is: the Prime Minister previously said I could have a meeting with him. This is a crucial issue in my electorate. It is regarding children’s safety.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The member will resume his seat.

Honourable Members:

Honourable members interjecting—

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Albanese interjecting

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The Leader of the House will resume his seat. Members on both sides will dampen their emotions on things that need to be discussed with much more rational behaviour.