The Nationals’ Member for Eastern Victoria Melina Bath has called on the Allan Labor Government to improve the Department of Education’s delivery of warnings and advice during emergency situations.
Ms Bath said schools in eastern Victoria receive inconsistent emergency advice due to a lack of coordination between the Department of Education and Emergency Management Victoria (EMV).
“On extreme fire warning days, EMV’s advice is to evacuate early for safety, while the Department of Education can insist that schools remain open and encourage parents to send their children to school.
“The Department of Education advice is not necessarily aligning with EMV’s instructions.
“A mismatch in messaging creates confusion for parents who are trying to make the best decisions for their families.
“Warnings need to be clear and aligned during emergency events such as bushfire to derive coordinated movement of people for the protection of lives.”
Ms Bath said families living in regional, and peri urban communities are no stranger to bushfire, floods and storms – they stay informed, but require uniform and timely advice from government agencies to decide the best course of action.
“Consistent emergency advice is particularly important in townships such as Emerald, Monbulk, Gembrook, Kallista, Cockatoo, Walhalla, Loch Sport and Mallacoota where there is only one road in and out.
“During extreme events, our school Principals must be allowed to engage with local emergency services to aid families make important decisions.
“Advice across government departments needs to be consistent so it serves to protect, and not potentially endanger families.
“The Allan Labor Government must ensure the delivery of consistent advice across all departments on days of rated extreme bushfire danger, to avoid placing vulnerable lives at risk.”
