26/9/02
Emergency service volunteers throughout Australia could be in the running for tax concessions under a proposal announced today by Emergency Services Minister Michelle Roberts.
Mrs Roberts raised the issue at the first State and Territory Emergency Service Ministers' Conference in almost eight years.
The conference, held in Brisbane, had focussed on some the most pressing issues facing emergency management personnel
"Since September 11 and the Sydney bushfires we've had a major review about the way emergency services operate in Australia and the infrastructure required to perform that role better," she said.
"This conference has enabled Australia's emergency services to face the tough issues and reach agreement on how best to resolve them."
Mrs Roberts successfully gained agreement from the other State and Territory Ministers on three major issues. These included:
- to gain national recognition and support for the essential role that emergency services volunteers provide to the Australian community, including volunteer tax concessions;
- developing an interstate Memorandum of Understanding on support arrangements during major emergencies; and
- strengthening emergency management capacity in remote indigenous communities.
"Improved recognition and support for emergency services volunteers is a key issue for me because these people provide a tremendous service in safeguarding our communities, one we could never afford to pay for with salaried personnel,"
Mrs Roberts said.
"This conference has presented us with an opportunity at a national level to formally acknowledge the essential role volunteers play and assess what Government's can do in appreciation.
"I believe offering tax concessions to volunteers is an appropriate way of saying thank you to these dedicated and committed people for providing this invaluable service to the community."
Mrs Roberts said the Sydney bushfires provided a timely reminder for the need to review interstate emergency services agreements. During that time, emergency services personnel from WA and other states travelled to the NSW capital to assist in the fire fighting effort.
"This conference has enabled the states and territories to reach agreement on developing a Memorandum of Understanding States for interstate support arrangements during major emergencies," she said.
"This will remove any uncertainty or ad hoc arrangements that undoubtedly arise when decisions are made at the height of a major emergency."
The Minister also successfully proposed that a more culturally sensitive approach should be adopted to supporting remote indigenous communities in their preparation, response and recovery from emergencies.
"Now that we have reached agreement between the States and Territories, the next step is to work in partnership with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC)," she said.
"Together we have a much better chance of improving the emergency management capability within remote indigenous communities."
Minister's office: 9213 6600
