Senate debates

Tuesday, 11 February 2020

Motions

National Aerial Firefighting Centre

3:47 pm

Photo of Malarndirri McCarthyMalarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

At the request of Senators Watt and Griff, I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes:

(i) reports that, in December 2017, the National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC) submitted a business case to the Government requesting a permanent increase in funding of $11 million to its annual budget,

(ii) evidence from the Department of Home Affairs that, as at 6 December 2019, the Government was still considering the business case, and

(iii) that when asked about the business case on 4 January 2020, the Commissioner of the New South Wales Rural Fire Service, Mr Shane Fitzsimmons, said that "We haven't seen a positive response to that business case"; and

(b) recognises that, given the Government's failure to respond to the NAFC business case for at least 2 years, more could have been done to ensure adequate aerial firefighting capability during the 2019 bushfire season.

Photo of Jonathon DuniamJonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Photo of Scott RyanScott Ryan (President) Share this | | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Photo of Jonathon DuniamJonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | | Hansard source

In 2008 the peak body of Australian fire chiefs presented a business case on behalf of the National Aerial Firefighting Centre, seeking an increase in government funding for aerial firefighting. In December 2018 the government provided a payment of $11 million to the centre, with an additional $11 million provided in December 2019. The government is committed to increased ongoing funding of $11.4 million in future years. Additionally, in January of 2020, the centre requested access to an additional large air tanker—the government immediately provided $20 million in funding for four large air tankers. Funding requested by the National Aerial Firefighting Centre has not only been met, but exceeded to ensure that aerial firefighting capabilities are well resourced.

Question agreed to.