Provisions remain in the FES Act relating to the emergency service organisations being separate legal entities. 

Provisions in Section 11(1)(e)(i) and (ii) relating to appointments of volunteer associations to the SAFECOM Board be removed. 

Section 70(12) (relating to disciplinary action) be amended to include, where the officer is an employee of a government agency, the Chief Officer shall advise an appropriate representative of the agency prior to any disciplinary action being taken. 

Nominations for candidates for SACFS group elections be received both by written nomination and by oral nomination. 

So as to increase the pool of volunteers from which the Minister can appoint Advisory Board members, Section 18(3)(c) and (d) be amended to include nominations from the Group Committee (SACFS) and Unit Managers Advisory Group (SASES). 

Divisions and Subdivisions and Regulations 22 and 62 headings relating to conduct and discipline be changed to have similar wording and should include, “Conduct, Discipline and Grievance Procedures for Members”. 

The selection procedures in the Regulations for SACFS officer positions be reviewed in terms of ensuring that appropriate skills and experience are considered. 

The Regulations be amended to include appropriate references to the Unit Managers Advisory Group (SASES) consistent with those of the Group Committee (SACFS). 

Regulations 22 and 62 be reviewed to ensure reports regarding conduct must be relevant to the enquiry. 

Liability and immunity as these provisions apply in Section 127 be reassessed in terms of burden of proof so as to ensure the best protection for volunteers. 

Section 79(1) – provisions relating to lighting or maintaining a fire in the open air during the fire danger season be retained in the principal FES Act; Section 79(2) be amended to provide that a fire may be lit or maintained in accordance with the Regulations; provisions specifying the conditio

Provisions be included in the Regulations for mediation in appropriate circumstances.

As a matter of priority, SAFECOM examine what further measures can be taken to provide support and protection for volunteers as potential witnesses in public enquiries. 

With the implementation of the Ministerial Review of Bushfire Management in South Australia, consideration should be given to provisions within Part 4, Division 7 of the principal FES Act which would be more appropriately placed in the Regulations. 

SAFECOM in consultation with SAMFS consider the merits of amending Sections 49- 51 to replace the right to appeal from the District Court to the South Australian Industrial Relations Commission. 

Expiation fees be reviewed so as to be consistent with the seriousness of the offences.

The comprehensive prevention, preparedness, response and recovery (PPRR) approach to the management of bushfires as recommended by the Ministerial Review of Bushfire Management in South Australia is supported: its implementation should consider issues raised by councils and should also be conside

Section 88 – requirement to carry fire extinguishers in a caravan be removed from the principal FES Act and placed in the Regulations. 

With the implementation of the Ministerial Review of Bushfire Management in South Australia, the provisions in Sections 84 and 85 be reviewed in terms of enforcing hazard reduction on council or Crown land. 

SAFECOM re-evaluate and determine a more meaningful definition of fire districts.

The preamble of the Fire and Emergency Services (FES) Act be amended to include a stronger emphasis on the strategic and policy purposes of the Commission, highlighting its key role in the governance of the emergency services sector.

Section 90 – provisions relating to smoking, and throwing burning material be removed from the principal FES Act and placed in the Regulations. 

A schedule for revocation of permits be included in the Regulations. 

The FES Act be amended to include a definition of ‘operations’ and/or ‘operational’. 

Sections 68 and 116 – provisions relating to the establishment/dissolution of SACFS Brigades and SASES Units be amended so as to retain the head of power in the principal FES Act and that the procedural provisions within each of these sections be placed in the Regulations. 

Further to Recommendations 11 and 12 above concerning the joining of Sections 56 and 83 of the FES Act, that these existing provisions be examined to determine whether they provide sufficient authority to address Recommendation 29.9(4) of the Wangary Coronial Inquest so as to require the owners o

The FES Act be amended to create the position which currently has the working title of ‘Commissioner of Fire and Emergencies’ to replace the position of CE and that the FES Act be amended in places where this position is mentioned. 

The definition of ‘officer’ in Section 3 be amended to include reference to the designation being made by the Chief Officer. 

Crown law opinion be obtained as to what amendments, if necessary or appropriate, are required to satisfy Recommendation 29.9(7) of the Wangary Coronial Inquest, that a dedicated bushfire prevention officer be appointed.

The FES Act be amended so as to allow the Chief Executive (CE) to manage the Commission (SAFECOM) Office by removing provisions relative to the SAFECOM Board’s managerial and administrative oversight of the Commission. 

Following the amendment to Section 79 as proposed above in Recommendation 22, a definition of, ‘properly constructed fire place’ and ‘properly constructed incinerator’ be included in the new Regulation. 

Consistent with the requirement for Emergency Service Organisations, the FES Act be amended to require South Australian Fire and Emergency Commission (SAFECOM) to submit a workforce plan to the Board. 

Regulation 48 regarding prescribed offences be amended to include Section 79(2)(e) or its equivalent under the amendment proposed in Recommendation 22 above. 

Accountability for matters of policy, strategy and resource allocation for the emergency services sector, currently the province of the Board, be given to the position created in Recommendation 3 above. 

Crown law opinion be obtained to determine whether additional functions now undertaken by the Commission following the devolvement of the functions of the Security and Emergency Management Office (SEMO) require an amendment to the FES Act. 

Where in the FES Act reference is made to, ‘an officer of the National Parks and Wildlife Service’ this be removed and replaced with, ‘an officer of the Department for Environment and Heritage’. 

Fresh consideration be given to the title of Commissioner of Fire and Emergencies so as to ensure it does not give the impression that it is operationally superior to the Chief Officers of the emergency service agencies. 

Provisions in the FES Act relating to, “land management principles” be reviewed in consultation with appropriate agencies and having due regard to the recommendations of the Wangary Coronial Inquest. 

Where in the FES Act reference is made to ‘South Australian Volunteer Fire-Brigades Association’ this be removed and replaced with, ‘Country Fire Service Volunteers Association’. 

Crown Law opinion be obtained to determine whether the FES Act gives the Minister power to direct and control individual Chief Officers and if that provision does not exist then the FES Act be amended to include that power. 

The presiding member of the Advisory Board appointed under Section 18(4) be also appointed as a member of the SAFECOM Board. 

Sections 56 and 83 be repealed and replaced with a single section which unifies their provisions. 

Where in the FES Act reference is made to ‘South Australian Volunteer Fire-Brigades Association’ this be removed and replaced with, ‘Country Fire Service Volunteers Association’. 

Immunity be prescribed for persons (including volunteers) using force in the exercise of a power or function under the FES Act or carrying out any direction or requirement given or imposed at the scene of a fire or other emergency.

Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS) implement a forward planning process specific to rural fire management as part of the QFRS strategic planning process, which involves regional and area offices and incorporates:
▪ a process for identifying risks and opportunities.

QFRS provide guidance and support to rural fire brigades in the development of their one year operational plan and three year management plan. 

QFRS implement a process to review brigade plans and incorporate specific issues identified into forward planning at the area and regional levels. 

QFRS implement a brigade issues management process to capture, manage and report specific brigade issues. 

QFRS ensure compliance with the brigade accountability requirements for funding received by rural fire brigades as specified in the Rural Fire Brigade Manual

QFRS review the financial accountability and audit requirements of the rural fire brigades to reflect their status as part of QFRS.

QFRS implement a system to monitor the condition and safety of brigade buildings and equipment. 

QFRS implement a system to collate and analyse brigade funding information.

QFRS establish a structured risk management process for rural fire management, which involves regional and area offices, to enhance decision making processes and ensure opportunities are maximised and losses are minimised.

QFRS provide assistance to brigades in determining and budgeting for their resource needs.

QFRS introduce a system to collate and analyse performance information for use in management reporting and to support effective decision making processes. 

QFRS utilise performance information on brigade activity as a factor in determining brigade resource and funding needs. 

QFRS determine the performance information needed to support effective decision making .

QFRS continue to support area training staff in the development and implementation of brigade training programs and calendars.

QFRS establish a suitable process to reliably capture that information.

QFRS improve the capacity to address the brigade training gap by continuing to encourage and facilitate the accreditation of volunteer trainers within brigades where appropriate. 

There is a need for industry in consultation with NOPSA to establish a priority programme of accredited education modules in the Safety Case regime targeting stakeholders in the regime at their respective levels to improve the understanding of the Safety Case and correspondent responsibilities.

NOPSA should complete the next revision of Safety Case guidelines in consultation and agreement with stakeholders and continue its program to achieve consistency with a firmer hand from the CEO and management.

As professional competency is one of the key pillars of any Safety Case, commitment to training for current and future needs remains a fundamental requirement for achieving best practice outcomes in safety.

The role of the advisory Board, namely to give advice to Ministers and NOPSA when asked, should be made clear to Board members and all stakeholders. The Board and NOPSA should consider the need for a clear description of who does what based on the legislated responsibilities of the NOPSA CEO.

NOPSA should use encouragement as the primary tool of enforcing compliance provided willingness to improve is exhibited by the players.

NOPSA should consider an audit regime that targets Greenfields operations at commencement of operations.

The industry should develop in conjunction with the Regulator a process for addressing the need to maintain the risk profile of a facility moving into extended life operation at the same risk profile as when it was within design life.

National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority (NOPSA) should develop guidelines in consultation with stakeholders to provide clarity and consistency to the process which ultimately will result in better safety outcomes. 

The exploration/production operator making all major decisions related to petroleum activities (i.e. selection of rig, well design and selection of service companies) should be made responsible for demonstrating to the regulator that drilling operations can be conducted safely.

The initial acceptance of a new facility Safety Case should be in conjunction with inspection of a facility upon commencement of operations.

The consequences of the disapplication of the Navigation Act 1912 should be analysed, the actual consequences identified and unintended consequences addressed.

Coverage of the regime should be increased to cover the complete hydrocarbons production system from wells through to custody transfer point or reasonable physical/technical system boundary.

The Safety Case proponent should be allowed some flexibility to involve appropriate experience matched with the proposed workforce competencies to enable the Safety Case to be developed with value adding processes.

The regulations pertaining to vessels of opportunity or their interpretation should be changed to facilitate a risk based approach to regulation. This approach will be consistent with the approach taken in other jurisdictions.

The current KPI measures used by the Regulator and industry need to be reassessed and the performance indicators need to be related to the risk profiles of the industry.

Because some issues related to emergency response are beyond any single operator and usually occur outside the title area, there is a need for the representatives of the offshore industry to work together with other governments, interested and involved parties to develop the strategies to be util

As all stakeholders have responsibility for safe outcomes, decisions regarding target subjects for safety promotion need to have the support of all stakeholders including NOPSA and the workforce.

Improved and agreed guidelines for Safety Case application and assessment, including suggested structure and content, would alleviate many current problems related to Safety Case processes.

NOPSA should consider establishing a small forum for consultation consisting of representatives of relevant stakeholders. The representatives should have standing, with authority to participate in decision making and take on commitment on behalf of their stakeholder group.

The industry should provide advice to NOPSA on where the regulations do not provide sufficient clarity and consider developing broad policy/process guidelines in consultation with the regulator to provide clarity and consistency. Regulators should not take personal views or preferences.

That the officer responsible for the importation of horses ensure that:

That the Quarantine Act 1908 be reviewed in order to identify amendments necessary to ensure that the Act clearly and adequately confers all relevant powers to ensure the biosecurity of horse importation and quarantine and to give effect to these recommendations.

That the position of Inspector General of Horse Importation:
(a) have such powers and authority and be subject to all protections necessary to enable the performance and discharge of the duties set out above
(b) be terminated after five years

That premises be used for pre-export quarantine only if they have been approved by the officer responsible for the importation of horses and only if they have adequate biosecurity precautions that are the subject of documented procedures that can be audited.

That the import conditions for horses include that a blood sample be taken while a horse is in pre-export quarantine. Part of the sample is to be retained in the country of export and another part of that sample is to be transported to Australia, preferably with the horse.

That the import conditions for horses include that the horse be tested for equine influenza at a time as close as practicable to the end of the pre- export quarantine period.

That the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry designate, without delay, a Senior Executive Service officer to be primarily responsible and accountable for the importation of horses into Australia and to that end to have the power to exercise all necessary authority.<

That the import conditions for horses include that the operations and procedures at the pre-export quarantine premises may from time to time, be inspected and audited by or on behalf of the Australian Government.

That the person holding the position of Inspector General of Horse
Importation:
(a) be appointed by the Governor-General in Council following public advertisement
(b) be appointed for a term of five years only or for such lesser term as may remain at the time of appointment

That the import conditions for horses specify, based on advice from Biosecurity Australia that is reviewed at least annually, the vaccines for equine influenza to be administered to horses before they are exported, taking account of the countries or regions from which the horses are exported.

That the person holding the position of Inspector General of Horse Importation may be removed in the following circumstances only:
(a) automatically
(i) on bankruptcy or on an application to take the benefit of a law for
the relief of bankruptcy

That the import conditions for horses specify that there be available for inspection at the port of loading and produced on the horse’s arrival in Australia, certification (including in electronic form) that the horse has been vaccinated, has had a blood sample taken during pre-export quarantine,

That the facilities for unloading and transferring of horses at Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport be upgraded without delay, following the advice of experts in biosecurity containment, so as to enable appropriate biosecurity precautions to be taken effectively and to minimise the risk of injury to

That, before a horse is loaded on to an aircraft or vessel for carriage to Australia, AQIS verify that there exists such certification as is required by its import conditions up to the time the horse arrives at the airport of departure and that the horse complies with those conditions.

That facilities for the unloading and transferring of horses at Tullamarine Airport in Melbourne be constructed urgently, upon advice of experts in biosecurity containment, to enable adequate biosecurity precautions to be taken effectively and to minimise the risk of injury to horses and those ha

That the officer responsible for the importation of horses arrange for Biosecurity Australia or another qualified body to inspect and review the activities and events that occur from the time horses enter pre-export quarantine until the time they arrive at an airport in Australia, in order to ide

That the operating procedures require that there be identified a person who has overall responsibility for the various clearance procedures and biosecurity tasks to be performed in the course of unloading horses at an airport and transferring them to a quarantine station.

That there be provided without delay at Sydney (Kingsford Smith) and Tullamarine Airports facilities to enable people who might have had contact with imported horses to shower and change their clothes, under supervision, before leaving the airport.

That the facilities at Eastern Creek and Spotswood Quarantine Stations be reviewed by AQIS in consultation with experts in biosecurity and interested parties including state and territory governments, import agents, veterinarians, farriers, operators of private quarantine stations, and representa

That the operating procedures require that the manager of a quarantine station be responsible for ensuring that a written report on compliance with procedures is prepared and reviewed daily and that any non-compliance and corrective action are recorded.