FESA mistakes not my fault, says Johnson

FESA mistakes not my fault, says JohnsonBRIDGET LACYThe West AustralianThu, 18 August 2011 11:33AMShare to FacebookShare to XEmail UsCopy the Link Emergency Services Minister Rob Johnson

defended himself this morning over the scathing Keelty bushfires report, claiming he had "done nothing wrong as a minister".

Speaking on 6PR, Mr Johnson was responding to criticism following the release of the damning report into the Kelmscott-Roleystone fire yesterday.

"I have given the Fire and Emergency Services Authority the upmost support, not only in legislative terms but also in funding," Mr Johnson said. "I have secured record funding for FESA."

Mr Johnson said he had corrected issues within FESA after he became minister and criticisms made in the report related to mistakes made by others.

"Unfortunately what happened on the day was that some of the FESA protocols were not administered and they should have been," he said. "I cannot go on the fire field and instruct

firefighters what to do."

Mr Johnson said sacked FESA chief executive Jo Harrison-Ward had not been made a scapegoat for his own failings.

"I have done an enormous amount for FESA in the time I have been minister."

But Mr Johnson confirmed he had supported Ms Harrison-Ward's reappointment in January.

"Unfortunately it was prior to the Kelmscott-Roleystone fire and there was nothing to give me any reason not to support her reappointment."

Mr Johnson said he had been keeping FESA under tight supervision for "some time now".

He also defended FESA chief operations officer Craig Hynes, who also comes in for criticism in the report.

"I have read the report many times let me tell you and I will be talking to Mr Hynes about it.

"But as a Government we are not in the business of demonising Jo Harrison-Ward and we are not in the business of demonising Craig Hynes."

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