Reform journey

Journey to the TFES Reforms

The current work to replace the Fire Service Act 1979, amend the Emergency Management Act 2006 and establish the Tasmania Fire and Emergency Service (TFES) in legislation, bringing together the TFS and SES onto a common operating platform is the culmination of almost a decade of consideration, examination and consultation.

The timeline below outlines the significant reviews, reports and consultations in the journey to date.

2016

The House of Assembly Standing Committee on Community Development’s Inquiry into the State Fire Commission recommended that a review of the Fire Service Act 1979  was necessary. Until this time, the structure, features and functions of the Act had not been closely reviewed since it was proclaimed.

2017

The Tasmanian Government endorsed a review of the Fire Service Act 1979 to provide advice about how the Government could best reform the legislation and fire service.

The review also focused on the synergies between the SES and the TFS, to consider the best operating platform for both organisations.

Mr Michael Harris was appointed to lead the Fire Service Act Review.

2018

The Harris Issues Paper (Issues Paper – Review of the Fires Service Act 1979) was released for public consultation in 2018. The Issues paper posed a series of questions regarding considerations for inclusion within a new Fire Service Act.

There were 39 responses received in respect to the Harris Issues paper.

2020

Mr Mike Blake was appointed to analyse responses to the Harris Issues paper and develop a draft report with recommendations for drafting of the new Fire Service Act.

2021

The Blake Report was released in August 2021, and in October 2021 Treasury released an Options Paper considering the potential impacts of different funding models.

Twenty submissions were received, and a series of targeted face-to-face meetings focusing on the Blake Report recommendations were conducted by Mr Michael Stevens thereafter.

2022

Mr Stevens produced a report (the Stevens Report) outlining a position in respect to the recommendations made in the Blake Report, including whether those recommendations should be adopted, adopted in principle with further analysis required, rejected or alternatives offered.

2023

In September 2023, a consultation bill that addressed the Blake and Stevens Reports recommendations was released, remaining open for feedback until 1 December 2023. Fifty-two written responses were received from individuals, organisations and businesses during the consultation period.

2024

In June 2024, Mr Jeremy Smith AFSM was appointed the inaugural Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner.

Following consideration of the feedback received to the 2023 consultation Bill, the Tasmanian Government announced the future of the TFES Reforms.

A Position Paper on the structure and operation of a State Fire and Emergency Services Commission, to replace the State Fire Commission, was released for consultation. Consultation closed on 28 February 2025 with 19 submissions being received.

2025

Please see the page Tasmania Fire Service > Reform for information on the current status of reforms.

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