Board Communique Jun 2011
Board Communique Jun 2011
Ministerial Correspondence:
Following correspondence between the AAVFBA and the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP (see previous Board communiqué), the AAVFBA provided comments to the National Transport Commission on its proposed National Heavy Vehicle regulations in early May, noting the proposed regulations includes a partial exemption for emergency services from driver fatigue requirements, namely work/rest requirements and associated record keeping when travelling to and during an emergency. The AAVFBA sought a total exemption from these requirements to cover also travelling from emergencies as well as for training and maintenance, noting that some jurisdictions already have such exemptions, reflecting the regional, rural and remote environments in which volunteer fire brigades exist.
On 22 May, the AAVFBA wrote to Senator the Hon Chris Evans, the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations and Mr Rex Hoy, the CEO of Safe Work Australia supporting AFAC’s concerns over proposed national Work Health and Safety regulations. On 20 Jun, Mr Hoy replied advising that the proposed regulations will not require any recording of risk assessments, except in relation to a small number of high risk activities, eg diving work, live electrical work and work in confined spaces. He further mentioned that the current review of the proposed regulations would ensure that they would not impede emergency response activities, while taking into account the need to protect the health and safety of emergency services workers, including volunteers. Further, Sen Chris Evans responded on 24 Jun, advising the proposed laws recognise the valuable work that volunteers do and are not intended to be an impediment to the work of any volunteer authority. He further stated that the laws acknowledge that emergency services are called upon to make strategic operational decisions and assessments of risk on the spot and on the basis of incomplete and inaccurate information, but that volunteers will continue to behave “as far as reasonably practicable” in both addressing risks and taking care of themselves and others in emergency situations.
AAVFBA On 20 June, Mr Mat Tinkler, the Chief of Staff of the Assistant Treasurer, the Hon Bill Shorten MP, advised that our submission to restore/extend Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) and Public Benevolent Institution (PBI) status to volunteer fire brigade associations at the state/territory and national level has been rejected.
Strategic Consultation:
In late June, the AAVFBA and AFAC reconfirmed their commitment to their 2007 Memorandum of Understanding to support the work of volunteer firefighters.
New Member
In May, the Tasmanian Volunteer Fire Brigades Association affiliated with the AAVFBA.