Let’s bring in today’s talkers, Liberal Senator Paul Scarr and founder of Western Sydney Women, Amanda Rose.
Good morning to you both.
Paul, to you first. Not much point having an emergency alert system if the emergency services themselves aren’t willing to use it.
Paul Scarr: Absolutely. If you’re going to make an investment of over $100 million, it’s absolutely crucial that every frontline emergency service is using this system.
This is above politics. We’ve got to get this right.
I really hope the minister steps up and liaises with her department, as well as all those frontline emergency services, including the fire service here in Queensland, to get this right. We can’t stuff this up.
Host: We certainly can’t. I have to say that after living in America for four years, they have a very similar system in place. It alerts you to weather events like hurricanes and also to active shooters.
I was at a couple of news events where those alerts were very handy.
Do you think this is just some pushback because it’s new and we don’t fully understand what the system is? Shouldn’t we give it a go?
Paul Scarr: Well, absolutely, we need to give it a go, but we also need to get it right.
It is concerning that people within these frontline agencies are so worried that they’ve gone to the media and raised their concerns publicly.
I think there is an issue here. The minister needs to address it, and we need to get this right. We can’t afford for it to become a white elephant.
Host: I can see Amanda nodding in agreement.
Amanda Rose: Absolutely. The question is, was there no consultation done beforehand?
If you’re creating an emergency alert system, wouldn’t you want all the emergency services and departments on board—not only helping design it, but also promoting and supporting it?
This is actually a red flag.
I’d like to see someone lodge a Freedom of Information request to find out who was consulted during the design process, and whether anyone was consulted at all.
We know the history of governments not always consulting widely before announcing major investments.
But, of course, the cynic in me also wonders what’s coming.
Host: What’s coming?
Amanda Rose: Well, they’re pushing an alert system and telling us we all need to have it.
Is there something on the horizon that they know about and that this system is going to be used for?
Look, I’m suspicious about why the government is pushing it. The fact that emergency services apparently weren’t involved in the design process is a red flag.
Host: It is a red flag. But heading into bushfire season, I do think it’s important that we have something in place.
Amanda Rose: Yes, but think about the bushfires. They were devastating.
If governments care so much about communities, why haven’t they pushed back harder on insurance companies to ensure people affected by floods and bushfires receive the payments they need to rebuild their homes?
If they care so much, where’s that effort?
Host: All right. Just a reminder to everyone that the system is scheduled to be tested later this month.
