Question to the Minister for Emergency Services on the South-East Marine Rescue Facility

Mr FATCHEN (Mount Gambier) (14:55): My question is to the Minister for Emergency Services. Given that the establishment of a volunteer marine rescue service at Port MacDonnell has been investigated and advocated for over more than a decade, can you advise the house exactly what further investigation is now required and provide a timeframe for when a decision will finally be made? With your leave, Madam Deputy Speaker, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr FATCHEN: The need for a dedicated marine rescue service at Port MacDonnell was formally raised with the state government as far back as 2012. In 2021, the then Minister for Emergency Services advised that the SES was considering the viability of such a service. Five years later, I have now received correspondence advising that the matter has again been referred to the SES for further investigation. In the meantime, the Lower South-East continues to rely heavily on commercial and recreational fishers to respond to marine emergencies.

The Hon. R.K. PEARCE (King—Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Local Government, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:57): I thank the member for Mount Gambier very much for his question and also for his correspondence representing the views of his local community. I know firsthand that the community has recently experienced an absolutely devastating time. My condolences go out to the family, to the friends and to the broader community during this time, because it's nothing short of devastating, what has occurred in that local community.

With that in mind, I would also like to thank the amazing emergency personnel who came out and provided such crucial support during that time. I know the conditions were really tough. I know we were able to deploy the Kingston marine vessel to provide supports. I understand that SAPOL also brought on marine vessels to help in that particular circumstance as well, some drones too, in terms of some of the weather that we did experience there at that particular point in time was even too rough in itself for boats to go out in parts of those searches. It just goes to show the wide scope of investment that is put into our emergency services and how it can play a crucial role. Our investment in drones, for example, has increased of late, and it has proved to be a really important resource that we have used in a community like yours as well at this point in time.

In regard to that particular circumstance, I can't go into too much further detail on that. Of course, it's under a Coroner's investigation at this point in time, but what I would signal is that I am eager to see the report once it is made available, to see what learnings we can take up on that. As Minister for Emergency Services, I am always incredibly passionate about doing what we can to better support communities but also to better support our emergency services personnel to help keep them safe.

Of course, marine vessels do play a really important role in that; the member is correct. There have been reports and scopes and conversations and investigations in the past on this matter. It has played a really heavy role in determining where a lot of our marine vessels are currently situated at this point in time and helps dictate what is needed and where.

As the member knows, the SES continues to engage to see where we can enhance in that. Every year, we do announce further funding to ensure that there is upkeep and investment to make sure there isn't a deterioration but also where the needs are that those vessels are provided as well.

It is something the SES continues to explore about how we can build a Port MacDonnell capability. It is something they reflect to me. I understand that they have been engaging with the community, they have been engaging with the local government as well, and there are a few different factors that need to be taken into consideration. It is beyond the vessel itself and the location, which I appreciate the council has been very willing to support. It is making sure that there is a volunteer base, there is training made available and also then the sustainability of that piece as well.

So, it is certainly something that I am taking seriously as well as other initiatives where we can help in the area, as I have already touched on: equipment and training, such as the drones, because it does play an important role in helping to address the greater issues. I will take the interest on board. I will endeavour to keep you up to date as those negotiations and conversations progress and, in particular, with any updates that may happen in that space.