SYKES – PRAISES LOCAL SES IN PARLIAMENT & SUPPORTS SES AUTHORITY

The Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, praised the outstanding performance of local State Emergency Services (SES) units in Parliament and strongly supported the establishment of the Victoria State Emergency Services Authority.

Dr Sykes spoke in Parliament last week in relation to the Victoria State Emergency Service Bill which he says is effectively two separate bills. The Fire Services Levy is one of the aspects and the other is the establishment of the SES Authority.

The Nationals were regrettably forced to oppose the Bill due to the ridiculous nature of the levy. However, The Nationals remain strongly in favour of the establishment of the Authority.

Dr Sykes said, “The range of emergencies that local SES units have attended and assisted with are enormous and varied. They do some wonderful work, often very emotionally draining and physically difficult work.

“In 1993 I stood shoulder to shoulder with the Benalla SES as we attempted in vain to stem the amazing floodwaters by sandbagging; and all the units particularly Benalla, Myrtleford, Bright and Mount Beauty, from the Benalla Electorate, worked together with the CFA, police and the Department of Sustainability and Environment in the courageous efforts to protect our region in the 2003 fires.

“The Myrtleford SES was involved in helping residents cope with storms in 2002; The units along the Hume and Goulburn Valley highways including Euroa, Benalla, Murchison and Nagambie often receive call-outs to road traffic accidents;

“The Bright, Mansfield and Alexandra SES units are often involved in searches for bushwalkers and skiers… and the list of varied emergencies goes on.

“I strongly support the establishment of the Victoria State Emergency Services Authority as it provides a sound basis for the SES continued success.

“However, the clause of concern is that which requires board members to have an understanding of volunteer issues. Whilst I understand the Minister intends to appoint an SES volunteer representative to the board, the sound future management of the Victorian SES would be better assured if there was a specific requirement that at least one director possessed relevant SES volunteer experience.

“Another issue is funding. It is not covered by this Bill and it must be addressed. In circumstances, such as the 2003 bushfires, when the emergencies are long running the contribution by volunteers and their employers run into the thousands of dollars, the recognition of this should also be looked at.

Dr Sykes concluded, “We in the Benalla Electorate owe a great deal to the SES and I, like my fellow community members, are extremely grateful. I implore the Government to look long and hard at this Bill… scrap the current ill conceived form of the Fire Services Levy and get on with the good work of establishing the Victoria SES Authority.

Media contact: Bill Sykes (03) 5762 2100 or 0427 624 989