Tuesday, 21 June 2022

Questions without notice and ministers statements

Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority

Mr DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan—Leader of the Opposition) (11:40): My question is to the Minister for Emergency Services. Minister, why is the new IT system at ESTA so long behind in its planned delivery time and so far over budget?

Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (11:40): I thank Mr Davis for his question. We have touched on topics of the importance of technology and the caller dispatch system that supports the work that our call takers and dispatchers do to ensure that they respond to Victorians that call 000. In relation to funds that are expended to support that IT service, I certainly would never make any apologies for continued investment in that. It is multimillion-dollar equipment, and if we find better and more appropriate equipment as technologies advance then I would expect that we would be spending more and more millions of dollars to ensure that these staff are supported in the best way possible to ensure that our emergency services operate appropriately. So I am more than happy to continue to provide transparent, up-to-date information on how much we are spending on the computer-aided dispatch system because it is an important investment.

Mr DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan—Leader of the Opposition) (11:41): I just note that the minister did not really answer precisely why it is so far over budget and behind time. I ask, therefore: Minister, do you take any responsibility for the deaths caused by your failure to implement an adequate IT system in a timely way?

Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (11:41): Mr Davis, we have had several conversations in here about my continued efforts and support of the important function that ESTA plays for the Victorian community. I will stand side by side with those staff. I will continue to support them. I will continue to help them with their decisions on where they allocate their resources and where they allocate the welfare programs for their staff. They are doing a fantastic job, and I will continue doing my job in supporting them.