Department of Community Services Lismore Office Incident

Ms LINDA BURNEY (Canterbury—Minister for Community Services) [3.07 p.m.]: Last night a serious incident occurred at the Lismore office of the Department of Community Services. The police and fire brigades were called out in the early hours of this morning to find several cars alight. The fire was extinguished. However, a number of police officers were admitted to hospital suffering smoking inhalation, and the fire destroyed two cars. Thankfully, no other injuries occurred. Police are investigating and have encouraged anyone who may know anything about it to come forward.

This morning I spoke to the regional director of the Department of Community Services and offered my support, and I assured her that the Government's priority is the ongoing safety of staff. I also spoke to the member for Lismore to ensure that the Opposition spokesperson was aware of the situation. I advise members that security at the Lismore office has been immediately increased with security staff now on duty. A support team from head office has arrived to help staff manage the situation.

The Director General of the Department of Community Services will fly to Lismore this evening to assess the situation and support staff. I cannot emphasise strongly enough the challenges our caseworkers face each and every day. The business of child protection can be tough and gruelling work. Staff is called upon to make agonising decisions that have long-term consequences. The pressure on staff is growing as we see more children coming into the system. I speak on behalf of the Government in extending my strong support to workers at the Lismore office who are dealing with the aftermath of this incident.

Mr THOMAS GEORGE (Lismore) [3.09 p.m.]: I thank the Minister for Community Services for her reference to what happened in Lismore last night. The incident highlights what police and Department of Community Services staff face every day in their work. Earlier this year the Department of Community Services opened a new office in Lismore, which, thank goodness, is across the road from the new police station. Last night the police attended straight away and dealt with the matter. Sadly, three police officers, Senior Constable Wilson, Constable Vidler and Constable Bird, were admitted to Lismore Base Hospital, and Constable Vidler will not return to her shift this week.

I have spoken to Michael Buckley, the Chief Executive Officer at the Lismore Department of Community Services office, who indicated that the staff are well and handling the situation satisfactorily. On behalf of members on this side of the House I join with the Minister in thanking the police for the job that they have done and I pay credit to them and to the staff of the Department of Community Services. The incident could have been a lot worse. As the Minister said, the police are investigating the incident and no doubt over the next few days there will be some sort of result.