Fire and Emergency Services (Volunteer Charters) Amendment Act 2019 (SA)

South Australia

Fire and Emergency Services (Volunteer Charters) Amendment Act 2019

An Act to amend the Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005.

The Parliament of South Australia enacts as follows:

Part 1Preliminary1Short title

This Act may be cited as the Fire and Emergency Services (Volunteer Charters) Amendment Act 2019.

2Amendment provisions

In this Act, a provision under a heading referring to the amendment of a specified Act amends the Act so specified.

Part 2Amendment of Fire and Emergency Services Act 20053Insertion of section 58A

After section 58 insert:

58A—Parliamentary recognition of SACFS Volunteer Charter

1. (1)

   The Parliament recognises that SACFS is first and foremost a volunteer‑based organisation, in which volunteer officers and members are supported by employees in a fully integrated manner.

2. (2)

   The Parliament recognises that the SACFS Volunteer Charter—

   1. (a)

      is a statement of the commitment and principles that apply to the relationship between the Government of South Australia, the Commission, SACFS and volunteer officers and members; and

   2. (b)

      requires that the Government of South Australia, the Commission and SACFS recognise, value, respect and promote the contribution of volunteer officers and members to the well‑being and safety of the community; and

   3. (c)

      requires that the Government of South Australia, the Commission and SACFS commit to consulting with the Country Fire Service Volunteers Association on behalf of volunteer officers and members on any matter that might reasonably be expected to affect them.

3. (3)

   SACFS must, in performing its functions, have regard to the commitments and principles set out in the SACFS Volunteer Charter.

4. (4)

   SACFS has a responsibility to develop policy and organisational arrangements that encourage, maintain and strengthen the capacity of volunteer officers and members to provide SACFS services.

5. (5)

   In this section—

SACFS Volunteer Charter means the SACFS Volunteer Charter prepared in consultation with the Government of South Australia, the Commission, SACFS, the Country Fire Service Volunteers Association and SACFS volunteers, as in force from time to time.

4Insertion of section 107A

After section 107 insert:

107A—Parliamentary recognition of SASES Volunteer Charter

1. (1)

   The Parliament recognises that SASES is first and foremost a volunteer‑based organisation, in which volunteer officers and members are supported by employees in a fully integrated manner.

2. (2)

   The Parliament recognises that the SASES Volunteer Charter—

   1. (a)

      is a statement of the commitment and principles that apply to the relationship between the Government of South Australia, the Commission, SASES and volunteer officers and members; and

   2. (b)

      requires that the Government of South Australia, the Commission and SASES recognise, value, respect and promote the contribution of volunteer officers and members to the well‑being and safety of the community; and

   3. (c)

      requires that the Government of South Australia, the Commission and SASES commit to consulting with the South Australian State Emergency Service Volunteers Association on behalf of volunteer officers and members on any matter that might reasonably be expected to affect them.

3. (3)

   SASES must, in performing its functions, have regard to the commitments and principles set out in the SASES Volunteer Charter.

4. (4)

   SASES has a responsibility to develop policy and organisational arrangements that encourage, maintain and strengthen the capacity of volunteer officers and members to provide SASES services.

5. (5)

   In this section—

SASES Volunteer Charter means the SASES Volunteer Charter prepared in consultation with the Government of South Australia, the Commission, SASES, the South Australian State Emergency Service Volunteers Association and SASES volunteers, as in force from time to time.