Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I, and also on behalf of Senators Watt, Sheldon and Pratt, I move:

(1) That the Senate notes that:

(a) the report of the Senate Education and Employment References Committee into The role of Commonwealth, state and territory Governments in addressing the high rates of mental health conditions experienced by first responders, emergency service workers and volunteers, was tabled on 14 February 2019;

(b) in a resolution of 14 March 1973, the Senate declared its opinion that the Government should provide a response to committee reports within three months of tabling; and

(c) on 4 December 2019, Minister Cash tabled a letter from the Attorney General and Minister for Industrial Relations stating that the Government was still considering and consulting with stakeholders on the report's recommendations, and was therefore not in a position to table the response.

(2) There be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Attorney-General and Minister for Industrial Relations, by no later than midday on 25 February 2020, the government response to the report of the Senate Education and Employment References Committee into The role of Commonwealth, state and territory Governments in addressing the high rates of mental health conditions experienced by first responders, emergency service workers and volunteers.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a very short statement.

Sue Lines (WA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The health and wellbeing of Australia's first responders and emergency service workers is a high priority for the government. The government's formal response to the Senate inquiry report will be tabled in the usual manner in the very near future.

Question agreed to.