From time to time decisions have been taken to give emergency response organisations the opportunity of having the first right of the refusal in respect of the purchase of surplus Government motor vehicles which are suitable for use in rescue or other emergency situations.

At present the Volunteer Bush Fire Brigades through the Bush Fire Council have access to the vehicles of all agencies and at the request of the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, I have approved of this arrangement being extended to State Emergency Services Groups and the Volunteer Rescue Associations.

The new procedures governing the direct sale to the organisations in question of vehicles purchased through the Government Supply Motor Vehicle Working Account are as follows:

Local State Emergency Services organisations, Volunteer Rescue Association organisations and volunteer bush fire brigades may make application to purchase surplus government owned motor vehicles suitable for their operational requirements, before auction.

State Emergency Services will have responsibility for liaison with Government organisations to establish those which use vehicles suitable for the requirements of the volunteer organisations.

Government organisations should give to State Emergency Services a minimum of 30 days notice of a suitable vehicle becoming available for disposal.

Sale if a vehicle is to be at the current market value as assessed by Government Supply, Commercial Services Group and approved by the State Contracts Control Board.

The intending purchaser may arrange an inspection of the vehicle with the holding Government organisation while it is still in service, if necessary.

A decision on purchase must be reached prior to arrangements being made, in the normal course, for the vehicle to be offered for sale to the public.

Once a decision to purchase is made payment must be made promptly to government supply.

The procedures will ensure that no delays occur in the disposal of vehicles and that financial returns are not diminished by the deterioration of the idle vehicles.

Those government organisations which administer their own motor pool vehicle purchasing and disposal arrangements are also urged to assist the State Emergency Services and they might also adopt the above procedures as far as is practicable.

Nick Greiner MP