Mr WOOD - 2013-02-19
Thank you for attending the meeting at the Humpty Doo Fire Station on the weekend. Could you please say if you have made a decision regarding the future of the Humpty Doo Fire Station, the Berrimah Fire Station and the retention of the Palmerston four-wheel drive emergency tender? If so, what is your decision? Can you say who made the original decision to cut these services?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. I am pleased you were able to attend that important gathering of members of the fire service, volunteers, and community leaders. I acknowledge the member for Daly for working to bring that together. It was good to see the Mayor there as well.
It was a very constructive meeting, as you well know. At that meeting some important aspects of what that decision looks like on the ground and what it means to people in the local area were well presented by those who attended, and I am very grateful for that.
I find it interesting you are asking this question because I said there were a number of steps I would take after that meeting. You have taken the first opportunity to ask a question so I can provide you with an answer to it.
Those steps are already under way. There has been significant consultation and assessment of the information that has been provided. I am in the process of making a decision based on what I heard and what I am assessing as a result of that meeting.
Regarding your interest in where that information came from, I believe you well know the dire state of the Territory’s finances is real; it is not a fiction, it is fact ...
Ms Lawrie: They are your spin.
Mr MILLS: I cannot believe you would say that; that is so irresponsible. It is a fact.
There was a requirement for all agencies to consider ways in which we could respond to this, and agencies were able to identify a range of options. I hope that satisfies. That is what I will provide you at this point. Your great concern is about the response. I will advise you, as I indicated at the meeting.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. I am pleased you were able to attend that important gathering of members of the fire service, volunteers, and community leaders. I acknowledge the member for Daly for working to bring that together. It was good to see the Mayor there as well.
It was a very constructive meeting, as you well know. At that meeting some important aspects of what that decision looks like on the ground and what it means to people in the local area were well presented by those who attended, and I am very grateful for that.
I find it interesting you are asking this question because I said there were a number of steps I would take after that meeting. You have taken the first opportunity to ask a question so I can provide you with an answer to it.
Those steps are already under way. There has been significant consultation and assessment of the information that has been provided. I am in the process of making a decision based on what I heard and what I am assessing as a result of that meeting.
Regarding your interest in where that information came from, I believe you well know the dire state of the Territory’s finances is real; it is not a fiction, it is fact ...
Ms Lawrie: They are your spin.
Mr MILLS: I cannot believe you would say that; that is so irresponsible. It is a fact.
There was a requirement for all agencies to consider ways in which we could respond to this, and agencies were able to identify a range of options. I hope that satisfies. That is what I will provide you at this point. Your great concern is about the response. I will advise you, as I indicated at the meeting.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016